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{{nat fs g player|no=4|pos=DF|name=[[Craig Cathcart]]|age={{Birth date and age|1989|2|6|df=y}}|caps=9|goals=0|club=[[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]]|clubnat=ENG}}
{{nat fs g player|no=4|pos=DF|name=[[Craig Cathcart]]|age={{Birth date and age|1989|2|6|df=y}}|caps=9|goals=0|club=[[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]]|clubnat=ENG}}
{{nat fs g player|no=5|pos=DF|name=[[Jonny Evans]]|age={{Birth date and age|1988|1|3|df=y}}|caps=28|goals=1|club=[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]|clubnat=ENG}}
{{nat fs g player|no=6|pos=DF|name=[[Jonny Evans]]|age={{Birth date and age|1988|1|3|df=y}}|caps=28|goals=1|club=[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]|clubnat=ENG}}
{{nat fs g player|no=16|pos=DF|name=[[Lee Hodson]]|age={{Birth date and age|1991|10|2|df=y}}|caps=5|goals=0|club=[[Watford F.C.|Watford]]|clubnat=ENG|}}
{{nat fs g player|no=16|pos=DF|name=[[Lee Hodson]]|age={{Birth date and age|1991|10|2|df=y}}|caps=5|goals=0|club=[[Watford F.C.|Watford]]|clubnat=ENG|}}
{{nat fs g player|no=23|pos=DF|name=[[Andrew Little (footballer)|Andrew Little]]|age={{Birth date and age|1989|5|12|df=y}}|caps=6|goals=0|club=[[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]] (on loan from {{flagicon|Scotland}} [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]])|clubnat=ENG}}
{{nat fs g player|no=23|pos=DF|name=[[Andrew Little (footballer)|Andrew Little]]|age={{Birth date and age|1989|5|12|df=y}}|caps=6|goals=0|club=[[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]] (on loan from {{flagicon|Scotland}} [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]])|clubnat=ENG}}
{{nat fs g player|no=6|pos=DF|name=[[Ryan McGivern (footballer)|Ryan McGivern]]|age={{Birth date and age|1990|1|8|df=y}}|caps=13|goals=0|club=[[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] (on loan from {{flagicon|England}} [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]])|clubnat=ENG}}
{{nat fs g player|no=5|pos=DF|name=[[Ryan McGivern (footballer)|Ryan McGivern]]|age={{Birth date and age|1990|1|8|df=y}}|caps=13|goals=0|club=[[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] (on loan from {{flagicon|England}} [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]])|clubnat=ENG}}
{{nat fs g player|no=3|pos=DF|name=[[Conor McLaughlin]]|age={{Birth date and age|1991|26|12|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=[[Preston North End]] |clubnat=ENG}}
{{nat fs g player|no=2|pos=DF|name=[[Conor McLaughlin]]|age={{Birth date and age|1991|26|12|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=[[Preston North End]] |clubnat=ENG}}
{{nat fs g player|no=12|pos=DF|name=[[Gareth McAuley]]|age={{Birth date and age|1979|12|5|df=y}}|caps=34|goals=2|club=[[West Bromwich Albion|West Brom]]|clubnat=ENG}}
{{nat fs g player|no=12|pos=DF|name=[[Gareth McAuley]]|age={{Birth date and age|1979|12|5|df=y}}|caps=34|goals=2|club=[[West Bromwich Albion|West Brom]]|clubnat=ENG}}
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{{nat fs g player|no=18|pos=MF|name=[[Chris Baird]]|age={{Birth date and age|1982|5|25|df=y}}|caps=55|goals=0|club=[[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]]|clubnat=ENG}}
{{nat fs g player|no=18|pos=MF|name=[[Chris Baird]]|age={{Birth date and age|1982|5|25|df=y}}|caps=55|goals=0|club=[[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]]|clubnat=ENG}}
{{nat fs g player|no=8|pos=MF|name=[[Chris Brunt]]|age={{Birth date and age|1984|12|14|df=y}}|caps=36|goals=1|club=[[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]]|clubnat=ENG}}
{{nat fs g player|no=8|pos=MF|name=[[Chris Brunt]]|age={{Birth date and age|1984|12|14|df=y}}|caps=36|goals=1|club=[[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]]|clubnat=ENG}}
{{nat fs g player|no=2|pos=MF|name=[[Sammy Clingan]]|age={{Birth date and age|1984|1|13|df=y}}|caps=31|goals=0|club=[[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]]|clubnat=ENG}}
{{nat fs g player|no=3|pos=MF|name=[[Sammy Clingan]]|age={{Birth date and age|1984|1|13|df=y}}|caps=31|goals=0|club=[[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]]|clubnat=ENG}}
{{nat fs g player|no=11|pos=MF|name=[[Steven Davis]] [[Captain (association football)|'''''(C)''''']]|age={{Birth date and age|1985|1|1|df=y}}|caps=50|goals=4|club=[[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]]|clubnat=SCO}}
{{nat fs g player|no=11|pos=MF|name=[[Steven Davis]] [[Captain (association football)|'''''(C)''''']]|age={{Birth date and age|1985|1|1|df=y}}|caps=50|goals=4|club=[[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]]|clubnat=SCO}}
{{nat fs g player|no=17|pos=MF|name=[[Corry Evans]]|age={{Birth date and age|1990|7|17|df=y}}|caps=14|goals=1|club=[[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]]|clubnat=ENG}}
{{nat fs g player|no=17|pos=MF|name=[[Corry Evans]]|age={{Birth date and age|1990|7|17|df=y}}|caps=14|goals=1|club=[[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]]|clubnat=ENG}}

Revision as of 15:33, 18 February 2012

Northern Ireland
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Green and White Army, Norn Iron
AssociationIrish Football Association
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachMichael O'Neill
CaptainSteven Davis
Most capsPat Jennings (119)
Top scorerDavid Healy (35)
Home stadiumWindsor Park
FIFA codeNIR
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current86
Highest27 (August 2007, April 2009)
Lowest124 (March 2004)
First international
 Ireland 0 – 13 England 
(Belfast, Ireland; 18 February 1882)
Biggest win
 Ireland 7 – 0 Wales 
(Belfast, Northern Ireland; 1 February 1930)
Biggest defeat
 Ireland 0 – 13 England 
(Belfast, Ireland; 18 February 1882)
World Cup
Appearances3 (first in 1958)
Best resultQuarterfinals, 1958, 1982

The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association (IFA). In 1921, the jurisdiction of the IFA was reduced to Northern Ireland following the secession of clubs in the soon-to-be Irish Free State, although its team purported to remain the national team for all of Ireland until 1950, and used the name Ireland until the mid-1970s. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) organises the separate Republic of Ireland national football team.

History

Main article: Ireland national football team (1882–1950)

On 18 February 1882, fifteen months after the founding of the Irish FA, Ireland made their international debut against England, losing 13–0 in a friendly played at Bloomfield in Belfast. This remains the record defeat for the team, and also England's largest winning margin. On 25 February 1882, Ireland played their second international, against Wales at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, and an equaliser from Johnston became Ireland’s first ever goal.

In 1884, Ireland competed in the inaugural British Home Championship and lost all three games. Ireland did not win their first game until 19 February 1887, a 4–1 win over Wales in Belfast. Between their debut and this game, they had a run of 14 defeats and 1 draw, the longest run without a win in the 1800s. Despite the end of this run, heavy defeats continued. On 3 March 1888 they lost 11–0 to Wales and three weeks later on 24 March they lost 10–2 to Scotland. Further heavy defeats came on 15 March 1890 when they lost 9–1 to England, on 18 February 1899 when they lost 13–2 to England and on 2 February 1901 when they lost 11–0 to Scotland.

In 1899 the Irish FA also changed its rules governing the selection of non-resident players. Before then the Ireland team selected its players exclusively from the Irish League, in particular the three Belfast-based clubs Linfield, Cliftonville and Distillery. On 4 March 1899 for the game against Wales, McAteer included four Irish players based in England. The change in policy produced dividends as Ireland won 1–0. Three weeks later, on 25 March one of these four players, Archie Goodall, aged 34 years and 279 days, became the oldest player to score in international football during the 19th century when he scored Ireland’s goal in a 9–1 defeat to Scotland.

In 1920 Ireland was partitioned into Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland. In 1922, Southern Ireland gained independence as the Irish Free State, later to become a republic under the name of Ireland. Amid these political upheavals, a rival football association, the Football Association of Ireland, emerged in Dublin in 1921 and organised a separate league and international team. In 1923, at a time when the home nations had withdrawn from FIFA, the FAI was recognised by FIFA as the governing body of the Irish Free State on the condition that it changed its name to the Football Association of the Irish Free State. The Irish FA continued to organise its national team on an all-Ireland basis.

Between 1928 and 1946 the IFA were not affiliated to FIFA and the two Ireland teams co-existed, never competing in the same competition. However, on 8 March 1950, in 0–0 draw with Wales at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham in a World Cup qualifier, the IFA fielded a team that included four players who were born in the Irish Free State. All four players had previously played for the FAI in their qualifiers and as a result had played for two different associations in the same FIFA World Cup tournament.

After complaints from the FAI, FIFA intervened and restricted players' eligibility based on the political border. In 1953 FIFA ruled neither team could be referred to as Ireland, decreeing that the FAI team be officially designated as the Republic of Ireland, while the IFA team was to become Northern Ireland.

Past performances

British Home Championship

Until the 1950s, the major competition for Northern Ireland/Ireland was the British Home Championship. The team had won the competition eight times, taking the title outright on three occasions. They were the last winners of the now defunct competition held in 1984, and hence still are the British champions, and the trophy remains the property of the Irish FA.

FIFA World Cup

Northern Ireland's best World Cup performance was in their first appearance in the finals, the 1958 World Cup, where they reached the quarter-finals after beating Czechoslovakia 2–1 in the play-off. They were knocked out by France, losing 4–0. In the 1958 competition Northern Ireland became the smallest country to have qualified for the World Cup, a record that stood until Trinidad & Tobago qualified for the 2006 World Cup. Northern Ireland remains, however, the smallest country to have qualified for more than one World Cup finals tournament, the smallest country to win a World Cup finals match, the smallest country to have scored at a World Cup finals, and the smallest country to have reached the World Cup quarter-finals.

Northern Ireland also qualified for the 1982 World Cup. Gerry Armstrong was a Northern Irish football player, who played during the 1970s and 1980s. He is best remembered for scoring the goal in the 1982 World Cup that enabled Northern Ireland to beat the tournament's hosts, Spain, in a shock 1–0 win again reaching the quarter-finals after topping the first stage group, Norman Whiteside became the youngest player ever in the World Cup finals, a record that still stands. In the 1986 World Cup, they reached the first round. Billy Bingham, a member of the 1958 squad, was manager for both of these tournaments. They have not qualified for any other World Cups.

UEFA European Championship

The side have yet to participate in their first European Championship finals. This is despite of the fact that Northern Ireland beat West Germany 1–0 both home and away in qualifiers for Euro 84; the latter was West Germany's first ever home defeat in either European Championship or World Cup qualifers. More recently, David Healy broke the record for goals scored in one Euro campaign, previously held by Davor Suker of Croatia, by scoring 13 times in Northern Ireland's attempt to qualify for Euro 2008.

Recent history

The Our Wee Country mural in east Belfast commemorating Northern Ireland beating England at home in 2005.

Lawrie Sanchez was appointed in January 2004 after a run of ten games without a goal under the previous manager Sammy McIlroy, which was a world record for any international team. That run ended after his first game in charge, a 1–4 defeat to Norway in a friendly in February 2004. The run of sixteen games without a win ended after his second game, a 1–0 victory in a friendly over Estonia, with a largely experimental side, in March 2004.

On 7 September 2005, Northern Ireland beat England 1–0 in a 2006 World Cup qualifier at Windsor Park. David Healy scored the winner in the 73rd minute. Almost a year later, on 6 September 2006, Northern Ireland defeated Spain 3–2 in a qualifier for Euro 2008, with Healy scoring a hat-trick. In June 2007 Nigel Worthington was named manager in the place of Lawrie Sanchez, who took over at Fulham. Initially Worthington took over until the end of the Euro 2008 qualifiers, but was later given a contract until the end of the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers.

Stadium

Main article: Windsor Park
Windsor Park – a view from the Kop Stand, showing the two-tiered North Stand and the low Railway stand behind the opposite goal

Northern Ireland play their home matches at Windsor Park, Belfast, home of Linfield F.C., which they have use of on a 108 year lease, giving the owners 15% of revenue, including gate receipts and TV rights.[2]

There was a proposal to build a multisports stadium for Northern Ireland at the disused Maze prison outside Lisburn for the use of Rugby, Gaelic games and football.[3] This plan was given an "in principle" go-ahead by the Irish Football Association. However, it was opposed by fans, over 85% of whom in a match day poll conducted by the Amalgamation of Northern Ireland Supporters' Clubs ("AONISC") preferred to stay at a smaller new or redeveloped ground in the city of Belfast.[4] The AONISC organised a protest against the move to the Maze at the game against Estonia in March 2006.

The issue assumed ever greater urgency by 2007, following a series of inspections which questioned the suitability of Windsor Park to host international football.[5] Following a reduction of capacity due to the closure of the Railway Stand, the IFA made it known that they wished to terminate their contract for the use of the stadium.[6] A report on health and safety in October 2007 indicated that the South Stand might have to be closed for internationals, which would further reduce the stadium's capacity to 9,000.[7] In April 2008, Belfast City Council announced that they had commissioned Drivers Jonas to conduct a feasibility study into the building of a Sports Stadium in Belfast which could accommodate international football, which was followed at the beginning of May 2008 by speculation that the Maze Stadium project was going to be radically revised by Peter Robinson, the Finance and Personnel Minister in the Northern Ireland Assembly, so that any construction might be used for purposes other than football, rugby union and Gaelic games. Given the time that is needed to build a new stadium, in the absence of significant work improving Windsor Park, Northern Ireland may be forced to play their home games at a venue outside Northern Ireland for a period.

In March 2009, proposals were announced for the construction of a new 25,000 seat stadium in the Sydenham area of East Belfast as an alternative to the Maze proposal. This would form part of a major development, with links to both George Best Belfast City Airport and the Bangor railway line. The development would also include a hotel, and retail/leisure areas. The stadium itself would be used for both football and rugby union, with Glentoran and Ulster Rugby intended as tenants. However, Ulster GAA, who were a partner in the Maze proposal, stated that in the event of a new stadium being built in East Belfast, which is a major unionist area, their preference would then be to remain at Casement Park in nationalist West Belfast.[8]

The IFA were initially non-committal about any of the proposals for improving their facilities, be it rebuilding Windsor Park, or supporting either the Maze or Sydenham proposals. However, in September 2009, they issued an announcement in favour of the redevelopment of Windsor Park.[9] Although there were no specifics to this, Linfield had previously released a study with two proposals, of which the major one would be a £20m rebuilding of the stadium, raising capacity to 20,000.[10] In 2011, the Northern Ireland Executive allocated £138m for a major programme of stadium redevelopment throughout Northern Ireland, with £28m allocated to the redevelopment of Windsor Park into a brand new, 20,000 all-seater stadium.[11]

Controversy and sectarianism

Some of Northern Ireland's fans are perceived as sectarian by Roman Catholics in Northern Ireland society.[12] Neil Lennon, a Celtic player who had been subject to boos and jeers from some supporters while playing for Northern Ireland in Windsor Park, was issued with a death-threat by Loyalists and retired from international football as a result.[13]

Steps have been taken to eradicate the sectarian element within the support.[14] Lennon has been quick to praise these initiatives, although added that because of Windsor Park's location it still "can be an intimidating place for Catholics to go. But the IFA have made huge strides."[15] He also praised the "Football For All" Outstanding Achievement Award Winner Stewart MacAfee,[16] for the work they have carried out to create a more inclusive atmosphere at international games.

People like Stewart are the unsung heroes who have been brave enough to challenge sectarianism and who have actively created a more fun, safe and family-orientated atmosphere at international games. Fans like Stewart have made the atmosphere at Northern Ireland football games in recent years the envy of Fans across not only Europe but World football. From a personal point of view I would like to thank them for their efforts.

— Neil Lennon

In 2006, Northern Ireland's supporters were awarded the Brussels International Supporters Award[17] for their charity work, general good humour and behaviour and efforts to stamp out sectarianism. Representatives of the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters' Clubs received the award from UEFA and EU representatives prior to the Northern Ireland versus Spain game at Windsor Park in September 2006.

Steps by the IFA to promote Football For All continue. At a friendly match in Dublin in 2011 against Scotland, the IFA carried out an inquiry following an incident in which a minority number of drunken fans sang sectarian songs.[18][19] One fan who was identified in the inquiry was said to be in line for a lifetime ban from receiving tickets to any future Northern Ireland home or away games.[20]

Northern Ireland Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Carál Ní Chuilín, the first senior Sinn Féin representative to attend an international at Windsor Park, commended "the very real efforts that have been made by the IFA to tackle sectarianism at their matches" after a match in August 2011.[21]

Since the defeat of England in 2005 there has been an increased demand for tickets outstripping supply.[22] Tongue-in-cheek songs such as "We're not Brazil, we're Northern Ireland" (sung to the tune of Battle Hymn of the Republic, an American Civil War song), 'It's Just Like Watching Brazil' and 'Stand up for the Ulstermen' are popular at home matches.

One of the first footballing celebrities, and popular culture icons was former Manchester United and Northern Ireland footballer George Best. The 1968 European Footballer of the Year, Best won 37 caps and scored 9 goals for his country.[23]

Competitive record

Main article: Northern Ireland national football team - record in major tournaments

FIFA World Cup

UEFA European Championship

Summary of results

All competitive matches[24]
P W D L F A Gd
466 116 100 250 503 952 −451
All matches including friendlies[25][26]‡
P W D L F A Gd
558 139 126 293 592 1114 −522

Data correct as of Northern Ireland v Serbia, 14 November 2009

The team have also won the Home Championship 8 times, including 5 shared.

Friendly Matches 2012

Date Venue Home Team Result Away Team
29 February 2012 Windsor Park Northern Ireland  -  Norway
2 June 2012 Amsterdam Arena Netherlands  -  Northern Ireland
15 August 2012 Windsor Park Northern Ireland  -  Finland

FIFA World Cup 2014 Qualifying

Template:2014 FIFA World Cup qualification - UEFA Group F

Players

Current squad

The following players have been called up to the squad to play Italy in October 2011.[27][28]

As of 18:48, 8 October 2011 (UTC)
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
14 1GK Lee Camp (1984-08-22) 22 August 1984 (age 40) 6 0 England Nottingham Forest
1 1GK Maik Taylor (1971-09-04) 4 September 1971 (age 53) 87 0 England Leeds United
21 1GK Alan Mannus (1982-05-19) 19 May 1982 (age 42) 4 0 Scotland St Johnstone
4 2DF Craig Cathcart (1989-02-06) 6 February 1989 (age 35) 9 0 England Blackpool
6 2DF Jonny Evans (1988-01-03) 3 January 1988 (age 36) 28 1 England Manchester United
16 2DF Lee Hodson (1991-10-02) 2 October 1991 (age 33) 5 0 England Watford
23 2DF Andrew Little (1989-05-12) 12 May 1989 (age 35) 6 0 England Port Vale (on loan from Scotland Rangers)
5 2DF Ryan McGivern (1990-01-08) 8 January 1990 (age 34) 13 0 England Bristol City (on loan from England Manchester City)
2 2DF Conor McLaughlin Error: Need valid birth date: year, month, day 0 0 England Preston North End
12 2DF Gareth McAuley (1979-12-05) 5 December 1979 (age 45) 34 2 England West Brom
18 3MF Chris Baird (1982-05-25) 25 May 1982 (age 42) 55 0 England Fulham
8 3MF Chris Brunt (1984-12-14) 14 December 1984 (age 40) 36 1 England West Bromwich Albion
3 3MF Sammy Clingan (1984-01-13) 13 January 1984 (age 40) 31 0 England Coventry City
11 3MF Steven Davis (C) (1985-01-01) 1 January 1985 (age 39) 50 4 Scotland Rangers
17 3MF Corry Evans (1990-07-17) 17 July 1990 (age 34) 14 1 England Hull City
19 3MF Johnny Gorman (1992-10-26) 26 October 1992 (age 32) 8 0 England Wolverhampton Wanderers
7 3MF Pat McCourt (1983-12-16) 16 December 1983 (age 41) 9 2 Scotland Celtic
15 3MF Niall McGinn (1987-07-20) 20 July 1987 (age 37) 16 0 England Brentford (on loan from Scotland Celtic)
13 3MF Oliver Norwood (1991-04-12) 12 April 1991 (age 33) 4 0 England Coventry City (on loan from England Manchester United)
9 4FW David Healy (1979-08-05) 5 August 1979 (age 45) 90 35 Scotland Rangers
20 4FW Warren Feeney (1981-01-17) 17 January 1981 (age 43) 45 5 England Plymouth Argyle

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up to the Northern Ireland squad during the last 12 months, but have not been selected in the squad to play against Italy in October 2011, or withdrew from that squad due to injury or suspension.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Alan Blayney (1981-10-09) 9 October 1981 (age 43) 5 0 Northern Ireland Linfield v  Wales, 27 May 2011
GK Jonathan Tuffey (1987-01-20) 20 January 1987 (age 37) 8 0 Scotland Inverness Caledonian Thistle v  Wales, 27 May 2011
DF Aaron Hughes (1979-11-08) 8 November 1979 (age 45) 79 1 England Fulham v  Estonia, 7 October 2011
DF Colin Coates (1985-10-26) 26 October 1985 (age 39) 6 0 Northern Ireland Crusaders v  Wales, 27 May 2011
DF Carl Winchester (1993-04-12) 12 April 1993 (age 31) 1 0 England Oldham Athletic v  Wales, 27 May 2011
DF Adam Thompson (1992-09-28) 28 September 1992 (age 32) 2 0 England Brentford (on loan from England Watford) v  Republic of Ireland, 24 May 2011
DF Stephen Craigan (1976-10-29) 29 October 1976 (age 48) 54 0 Scotland Motherwell v  Slovenia, 29 March 2011
MF Grant McCann (1980-04-15) 15 April 1980 (age 44) 37 4 England Peterborough United v  Estonia, 7 October 2011
MF Josh Carson (1993-06-03) 3 June 1993 (age 31) 2 0 England Ipswich Town v  Estonia, 6 September 2011
MF Stuart Dallas (1991-04-19) 19 April 1991 (age 33) 1 0 Northern Ireland Crusaders v  Wales, 27 May 2011
MF Robert Garrett (1988-05-05) 5 May 1988 (age 36) 5 0 Northern Ireland Linfield v  Wales, 27 May 2011
FW Kyle Lafferty (1987-09-16) 16 September 1987 (age 37) 31 8 Scotland Rangers v  Estonia, 7 October 2011
FW Josh McQuoid (1989-12-15) 15 December 1989 (age 35) 5 0 England Burnley v  Estonia, 7 October 2011
FW Jamie Ward (1986-05-12) 12 May 1986 (age 38) 1 0 England Derby County v  Estonia, 7 October 2011
FW Peter Thompson (1984-05-02) 2 May 1984 (age 40) 8 1 Northern Ireland Linfield v  Faroe Islands, 10 August 2011
FW Liam Boyce (1991-04-08) 8 April 1991 (age 33) 4 0 Germany Werder Bremen II v  Wales, 27 May 2011
FW Jordan Owens (1989-07-09) 9 July 1989 (age 35) 1 0 Northern Ireland Crusaders v  Wales, 27 May 2011
FW Rory Patterson (1984-07-16) 16 July 1984 (age 40) 5 1 Republic of Ireland Derry City FC v  Scotland, 9 February 2011

Previous squads

FIFA World Cup squads

Player records

Northern Ireland players with 50 or more caps

As of 6 September 2011, the players with the most caps for Northern Ireland are:

Alan McDonald, who played in the 1986 FIFA World Cup
# Name Career Caps Goals
1 Pat Jennings 1964–1986 119 0
2 Mal Donaghy 1980–1994 91 0
3 David Healy 2000–present 89 35
4 Sammy McIlroy 1972–1987 88 5
5 Maik Taylor 1999–2011 87 0
6 Keith Gillespie 1995–2008 86 2
7 Aaron Hughes 1998–2011 79 1
8 Jimmy Nicholl 1976–1986 73 1
9 Michael Hughes 1992–2004 71 5
10 David McCreery 1976–1990 67 0
11 Nigel Worthington 1984–1997 66 0
12 Martin O'Neill 1972–1985 64 8
13 Gerry Armstrong 1977–1986 63 12
14 Iain Dowie 1990–2000 59 12
Terry Neill 1961–1973 59 2
16 Billy Bingham 1951–1964 56 10
Danny Blanchflower 1950–1963 56 2
Damien Johnson 1999–2010 56 0
19 Jimmy McIlroy 1952–1966 55 10
20 Stephen Craigan 2003–2011 54 0
Chris Baird 2003–present 54 0
22 Allan Hunter 1970–1980 53 1
John McClelland 1980–1990 53 1
24 Jim Magilton 1991–2002 52 5
Alan McDonald 1986–1996 52 3
26 Sammy Nelson 1970–1982 51 1
Chris Nicholl 1975–1984 51 3
Gerry Taggart 1990–2002 51 7
Steven Davis 2005–present 51 4
30 Bryan Hamilton 1969–1980 50 4
James Quinn 1996–2007 50 4

Top Ireland / Northern Ireland goalscorers

David Healy, the current top goalscorer of Northern Ireland
# Player Career Goals (Caps) Goals per game
1 David Healy 2000–present 35 (89) 0.39
2 Billy Gillespie 1913–1932 13 (25) 0.52
Colin Clarke 1986–1993 13 (38) 0.34
4 Joe Bambrick 1928–1940 12 (11) 1.09
Gerry Armstrong 1977–1986 12 (63) 0.19
Jimmy Quinn 1985–1996 12 (46) 0.26
Iain Dowie 1990–2000 12 (59) 0.20
8 Olphie Stanfield 1887–1897 11 (30) 0.37
9 Billy Bingham 1951–1964 10 (56) 0.18
Jimmy McIlroy 1952–1966 10 (55) 0.18
Peter McParland 1954–1962 10 (34) 0.29
Johnny Crossan 1960–1968 10 (24) 0.42

Managers

As of 28 December 2011
Manager Career Played Won Drawn Lost Win % Loss %
Northern Ireland Peter Doherty 1951–1962 56 11 15 30 19.64 53.57
Northern Ireland Bertie Peacock 1962–1967 22 9 3 10 40.91 45.45
Northern Ireland Billy Bingham 1967–1971 20 8 3 9 40.00 45.00
Northern Ireland Terry Neill 1971–1975 20 6 6 8 30.00 40.00
Northern Ireland Dave Clements 1975–1976 11 2 2 7 18.18 63.64
Northern Ireland Danny Blanchflower 1976–1979 16 4 4 8 25.00 50.00
Northern Ireland Billy Bingham 1980–1994 118 40 34 44 33.90 37.29
Northern Ireland Bryan Hamilton 1994–1998 32 8 9 15 25.00 46.88
England Lawrie McMenemy 1998–1999 14 4 3 7 28.57 50.00
Northern Ireland Sammy McIlroy 2000–2003 31 4 10 17 12.90 54.84
Northern Ireland Lawrie Sanchez 2004–2007 32 11 10 11 34.38 34.38
Northern Ireland Nigel Worthington 2007–2011 41 9 10 22 21.95 53.66
Northern Ireland Michael O'Neill 2012- 0 0 0 0 0 0

Current coaching staff

  • Manager: Northern Ireland Michael O'Neill
  • Assistant Manager: Scotland Billy McKinlay
  • Goalkeeping coach: Northern Ireland Tommy Wright
  • Physio: vacant
  • Team Attendant: vacant

Media coverage

Sky Sports currently have the rights to show Northern Ireland's home international fixtures after many years of the games being exclusively live on BBC Northern Ireland. The decision to sell to Sky was met with disapproval.[29][dead link‍], however BBC Northern Ireland have bought the rights to some away games and highlights of all home matches. Setanta Sports bought rights to all but one of Northern Ireland away games. However the future of these rights is uncertain as Setanta's UK operation has ceased. The match that wasn't bought by Setanta was shown on BBC NI on Match of the Day from Northern Ireland.

See also

References

  1. ^ The official Elo ratings pages combine the pre-1923 IFA team's results with the post-1923 FAI team. The highest ranking for the pre-1923 team was 4th, in 1882-5, when only four national teams existed.("World Football Elo Ratings: Ireland". Retrieved 2007-02-14.) The "new" Northern Ireland team was introduced to the Elo ranking in 1923, with an initial points total higher than the FAI team inherited from the "old" IFA team: 1600 as opposed to 1522. The highest rank the IFA team has subsequently attained, based on this, is 15th, in May 1986 (when 193 national teams competed).("World Football Elo Ratings: Northern Ireland". Retrieved 2007-02-14.)
  2. ^ "IFA wants out of Windsor contract". BBC News. 17 July 2007. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  3. ^ "Lord's Hansard on the question of building an NI national stadium".
  4. ^ "Tide Turns Against The Maze".
  5. ^ Report slams Windsor Park safety BBC News
  6. ^ IFA wants out of Windsor contract BBC News
  7. ^ South Stand future under threat BBC News
  8. ^ Plans for £128m Belfast stadium unveiled – The Independent, 25/03/09
  9. ^ IFA 'backs Windsor as NI stadium' – BBC News, 07/09/09
  10. ^ Linfield FC has £20m stadium plan – BBC News, 12/06/09
  11. ^ Stadiums fit for our heroes on way at last – Belfast Telegraph, 11/03/11
  12. ^ Brian McNally (2010-03-05). "Why Northern Ireland continue to pay the price for abuse dished out to Neil Lennon". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  13. ^ Tim Rich (2002-08-23). "Death threat forces Lennon to place family feelings first". London: The Independent. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  14. ^ "BBC News Star helps in graffiti removal". 30 October 2003. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
  15. ^ "Lennon hails anti-sectarian drive". BBC News. 25 October 2006. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
  16. ^ "PRAISE FOR IFA'S FOOTBALL FOR ALL AWARDS NIGHT".
  17. ^ http://www.irishfa.com/news/item/2390/northern-ireland-fans-are-officially-the-best-in-europe/
  18. ^ "Holding pen plan is dismissed by Northern Ireland supporters' group". Belfast Telegraph. 2011-02-21. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  19. ^ "Ballymena's Denver Gage faces sectarian songs probe". BBC. 2011-02-19. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  20. ^ "Irish FA to ban Northern Ireland fan after chants". BBC News. 2011-02-18. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  21. ^ "Caral Ni Chuilin attends NI game at Windsor Park". BBC News. 11 August 2011.
  22. ^ "BBC news story on NI ticket sales". BBC News. 5 April 2006. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
  23. ^ "Football: George Best: Football's first icon". The Guardian. London. 27 November 2005.
  24. ^ http://www.irishfa.com/international/fixtures-and-results/historical-results/
  25. ^ Irish Football Association (2009). Official Souvenir Programme: Northern Ireland vs Serbia. Belfast:Irish Football Association
  26. ^ Jackson, Lyle (2009-11-14). "BBC:''Northern Ireland 0–1 Serbia''". BBC News. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
  27. ^ "N Ireland duo back for qualifiers". BBC News. 27 September 2011.
  28. ^ "Italy 3-0 N Ireland". BBC News. 11 October 2011.
  29. ^ http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/article3199017.ece. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
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