NI have drawn a line under Italy loss - Devenny
· Yahoo Sports
Justin Devenny says that Northern Ireland have "drawn a line" under their World Cup play-off defeat by Italy.
Sandro Tonali and Mosie Kean scored in Bergamo to end Northern Ireland's dream of reaching a first World Cup in 40 years.
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Northern Ireland will have to get straight back on the horse, as the saying goes, in a friendly against Wales in Cardiff on Tuesday.
It will be with low fanfare, compared to what both teams had hoped for, but Crystal Palace's Devenny said it will give the players a chance to "start with a new slate".
Northern Ireland will have friendlies in June before their Nations League campaign begins in September, against Georgia, Hungary and Ukraine.
"For us, it's just about trying to get that momentum, get that positivity within the squad and then just try and build from there," Devenny said.
"You don't get much time together at international level, and the times in between can feel like a really big time.
"So we're hopeful of ending it on a high."
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Northern Ireland will be without Ali McCann and Dan Ballard, who missed the game in Italy through injury.
Meanwhile, defenders Ruairi McConville and Paddy McNair have returned to Norwich City and Hull City with knee and thigh complaints, while goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell has a back issue.
The starting team in Italy only had one player over the age of 24, and Devenny, himself only 22, says the fact a large chunk of the squad are the same age helped them get over the disappointment of missing out on the World Cup.
"Everyone is there for each other," the versatile Crystal Palace player said.
"Even the age aspect plays a part in that, and I just think that having that bond, where everyone's in the same boat when we lose a game, that's when everyone's there for each other.
"We help pick each other up, and that's what defines a good group.
"I think it's important to have that kind of community where everyone is looking out for each other."
Wales will also be wounded after missing out in a dramatic penalty shootout to Bosnia-Herzgovina, and Devenny said that Craig Bellamy's men are "a good side".
"We've done a bit of work on them as a team, but we'll be looking to implement our game plan as well.
"We want to show out quality, and there's a lot of quality in our dressing room.
"They will be a great side, but our focus is on our game plan and how we can play well, and how we can show what we can do."