A strike late in the first half by Tasos Bakasetas was enough for Greece to come out winners in the first match of their UEFA Nations Leagues campaign.
The National League Group J game which was also the first competitive match for Gus Poyet since his appointment in March when Greece played Rumania in a friendly.
Kathemerini said the Greeks put a lot of pressure on their Northern Ireland hosts but without creating many chances, until Bakasetas’ long-range effort found the back of the net in the the 39th minute of the game.
The Greek defence held up under sustained pressure in the second half in what is likely to be their toughest away test in this group.
In the other Group J game on Thursday night, Cyprus lost 2-0 to Kosovo at home with Valon Berisha and Edon Zhergova each finding the net in the second half.
Greece travel to Kosovo on Sunday.
