Martin Paterson and Michael Duff made the most dramatic jump to the promised land of the Premier League.

The pair played key roles in Burnley’s 1-0 victory over Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final at Wembley, mooted as the world’s most valuable game with the winning club in line for a £60 million Premier League windfall.

Jamie Ward suffered the heartbreak of being in the losing Blades team, his woes compounded by a late red card for two hand balls.

Other Northern Ireland stars have been promoted back to the Premier League in more convential fashion, international mainstays Maik Taylor and Damien Johnson going back up with Championship runners-up Birmingham City.

Other Northern Ireland Championship regulars include Ipswich skipper Gareth McAuley, who saw fellow countryman Jim Magilton depart Town’s managerial hotseat to be replaced by Roy Keane.

Chris Casement is trying to make an impact at Ipswich after a loan spell at Wycombe and has been rewarded with a call up to the Northern Ireland squad to take on Italy in Pisa on Saturday.

Tony Capaldi only just missed out on the play-offs with Cardiff City, while Sammy Clingan suffered the blow of relegation with Norwich City but is coveted by higher ranked clubs.

Dean Shiels made the switch from Hibernian to Doncaster Rovers, where Stuart Elliott is still on the books, and can look forward to another crack at the Championship next season. Ivan Sproule is terrorising full backs at Bristol City.

Keeper Roy Carroll is first choice at Derby County and joining the Championship fray next season will be Grant McCann who helped Scunthorpe United to League One Wembley play-off glory against Millwall, after weighing in with eight goals from midfield during the campaign.

In the lower leagues, Michael O’Connor is tipped for a step up from renowned nursery Crewe Alexandra, while former Linfield striker Peter Thompson is finding his feet at Stockport County.

Jeff Hughes is turning in soluid displays at League One Bristol Rovers.

Port Vale’s James Lawrie is another newcomer called up by Nigel Worthington for the trip to Italy.

Keith Gillespie, 86 Northern Ireland caps tucked away, finished the season at Bradford City — along with Steve Jones — and would no doubt dearly love to pull on the green jersey once again.

Midfielder Tommy Doherty won promotion from League Two with Wycombe Wanderers, while Rory McArdle and Ciaran Toner made the play-offs with Rochdale.