The year of 2016 was a memorable one for Northern Ireland and Niall McGinn is hoping the next 12 months can be equally unforgettable. Michael ONeills players returned to club duty on Wednesday and will next be back together under the Northern Irish banner in March for a World Cup Qualifier with Norway in Belfast. Northern Ireland were beaten 3-0 by Croatia in their international friendly on Tuesday evening Although they concluded the calendar year with a 3-0 defeat to Croatia, the preceding months brought success not seen for years by The Green and White Army, who followed their nation at a major tournament for the first time since 1986 at the Euros in the summer. There is no reason why we cant make it a great year too, McGinn said.I think the spirit in the squad is obviously high, the players are playing well and the momentum is still there.Weve always played well at Windsor Park over the years so we want to keep that going with an important game in March, hopefully we can get three points from that. Northern Ireland manager Michael ONeill has urged his squad to keep the feelgood factor going Last Fridays 4-0 home triumph over Azerbaijan lifted ONeills team into second but Norway, the Czech Republic and the Azeris themselves will have designs of finishing directly behind world champions Germany.The group is obviously tough and if we get to March and win that game it will definitely set ourselves up nicely, added McGinn, who was bestowed the honour of captain-for-the-night against the Croatians on his 50th international appearance. Captain Steven Davis has rejected claims theyre favourites to finish behind Germany in their World Cup qualifying group We just want to keep the momentum going - the most important thing was to win that game on Friday and weve done that.Weve played Germany and Czech Republic away so the most important thing is getting as many points as we can from these home games coming up.Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Man Utd v Arsenal this Saturday and get the first six months half price! Also See: N Ireland latest N Ireland fixtures N Ireland stats Table Dallas Stars Gear .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have placed centre Cody Hodgson on injured reserve and recalled two players from their AHL affiliate in Rochester. Cheap Stars Jerseys . Louis Blues absence from top spot in the TSN. https://www.cheapstarsonline.com/ . Malkin got tangled up with Detroits Luke Glendening early in the third period and his left skate took the brunt of collision with the boards behind Pittsburghs net. Dallas Stars Pro Shop . The 29-year-old from Port Colborne, Ont., has nothing but good things to say about former U.S. marine Liz (Girlrilla) Carmouche ahead of their co-main event Wednesday on the UFCs "Fight for the Troops" televised card in Fort Campbell, Ky. Stars Jerseys 2021 . -- Ryan Blaney provided more evidence that Penske Racings No. SAN DIEGO -- Theres been a different vibe around the San Diego Padres since they called up four of their top prospects on Wednesday.One of those rookies, Carlos Asuaje, doubled for his first hit and was on base when Wil Myers hit a three-run home run in the first inning that helped the Padres beat the struggling San Francisco Giants 7-2 on Friday night.Obviously Ive been imagining getting a hit, said Asuaje, who made his big league debut Wednesday night and has started the last two games. I didnt think a double though, but yeah it was awesome, a great experience. It was kind of a relief, really.I tried to keep my wits about me as best I could, he said. I didnt want to seem all giddy in front of the guys. They already mess with me enough, so I didnt want to look too happy but man, inside it was really good.It was San Diegos seventh victory in eight games against the struggling Giants since the All-Star break.The Giants dropped into the second wild card position, a game behind the New York Mets. San Francisco is seven games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West.Giants rookie Albert Suarez (3-5) fell behind 3-0 before recording an out. Jon Jay hit a leadoff single, Asuaje doubled and Myers homered into the party deck just beyond the fence in right-center, his 28th.Edwin Jackson (5-6) won for just the second time in seven starts, holding the Giants to two runs and four hits in six innings. He struck out five and walked five.It was great to have the offensive support and see the young guys come up and get first hits and see the excitement in the dugout, Jackson said. It was definitely a lot of fun and it makes the game fun.Busteer Posey pulled the Giants to 3-2 with a two-run double off the wall in left-center with one out in the fifth.ddddddddddddIm just trying to bounce back, Jackson said. I wish I could have less walks. They kind of cost me in the fifth inning, walked a couple then Posey comes up and got a big hit, but nevertheless, all in all, some decent game of bounce back. Were always hard on ourselves.Giants reliever Matt Reynolds came on to start the bottom of the fifth and allowed four runs without getting an out. He walked in a run and was chased by Alex Dickersons two-run single to right. George Kontos came on and got the first out before Austin Hedges hit a sacrifice fly to make it 7-2.Suarez allowed three runs and five hits in four innings, struck out one and walked one.TRAINERS ROOMGiants: RHP Johnny Cueto, who left his start Tuesday night with a strained groin, was scheduled to play catch before the game. His spot in the rotation comes up Sunday. Manager Bruce Bochy said Cueto is questionable to make the start. ... SS Brandon Crawford (dislocated pinky on his glove hand) also was to play catch and if that went well, take some dry swings.UP NEXTGiants: On Saturday night, LHP Madison Bumgarner (14-9, 2.57) will try to become the third-youngest pitcher in franchise history to win 100 games. Hes 2-2 with a 3.18 ERA in four starts against San Diego this year, but is 0-2 with a 4.97 ERA in his last two starts against the Padres.Padres: RHP Jarred Cosart (0-4, 5.63) is scheduled to make his ninth start with San Diego. ' ' '