- Northern Ireland national football team
-
Northern Ireland 
Nickname(s) Green and White Army, Norn Iron Association Irish Football Association Confederation UEFA (Europe) Asst coach Glynn Snodin Captain Aaron Hughes Most caps Pat Jennings (119) Top scorer David Healy (35) Home stadium Windsor Park FIFA code NIR FIFA ranking 84 Highest FIFA ranking 27 (August 2007, April 2009) Lowest FIFA ranking 124 (March 2004) Elo ranking 98 Highest Elo ranking 4 or 15[1] (1882-5 or May 1986) Lowest Elo ranking 99 (7 October 2011) 
Home colours
Away coloursFirst 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 Appearances 3 (First in 1958) Best result Quarterfinals, 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 to use the name Ireland until the mid-1970s. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) organises the separate Republic of Ireland national football team.
Contents
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 Euro 2012 qualifiers.
Competitive record
FIFA World Cup
- 1930 to 1938 – Did not enter
- 1950 to 1954 – Did not qualify
- 1958 – Quarter-finals
- 1962 to 1978 – Did not qualify
- 1982 – Second Group Stage
- 1986 – Round 1
- 1990 to 2010 – Did not qualify
UEFA European Championship
Summary of results
- All competitive matches[2]
P W D L F A Gd 466 116 100 250 503 952 −451 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.
FIFA World Cup 2014 Qualifying
TeamPld W D L GF GA GD Pts 
Portugal0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Russia0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Israel0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Northern Ireland0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Azerbaijan0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Luxembourg0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Azerbaijan — Date Date Date Date Date Israel Date — Date Date Date Date Luxembourg Date Date — Date Date Date Northern Ireland Date Date Date — Date Date Portugal Date Date Date Date — Date Russia Date Date Date Date Date — 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 goalNorthern 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.[5]
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.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8] 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.[9] 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.[10] 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.[11]
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.[12] 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.[13] 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.[14]
Controversy and sectarianism
Some of Northern Ireland's fans are perceived as sectarian by Roman Catholics in Northern Ireland society.[15] Neil Lennon, a Roman Catholic 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.[16]
Steps have been taken to eradicate the sectarian element within the support.[17] 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."[18] He also praised the "Football For All" Outstanding Achievement Award Winner Stewart MacAfee,[19] 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. ” In 2006, Northern Ireland's supporters were awarded the Brussels International Supporters Award[20] 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.[21][22] 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.[23]
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.[24]
Popular culture
Since the defeat of England in 2005 there has been an increased demand for tickets outstripping supply.[25] 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.[26]
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)
# Pos. Player Date of Birth (Age) Caps Goals Club GK Alan Mannus 19 May 1982 4 0 
St JohnstoneGK Maik Taylor 4 September 1971 87 0 unattached DF Craig Cathcart 6 February 1989 9 0 BlackpoolDF Jonny Evans 3 January 1988 28 1 Manchester UnitedDF Lee Hodson 2 October 1991 5 0 WatfordDF Andrew Little 12 May 1989 6 0 Port Vale (on loan from Rangers)DF Gareth McAuley 5 December 1979 34 2 West BromDF Ryan McGivern 8 January 1990 13 0 Bristol City (on loan from Manchester City)DF Conor McLaughlin 12 February 1991 0 0 Preston North EndMF Chris Baird 25 May 1982 55 0 FulhamMF Chris Brunt 14 December 1984 36 1 West Bromwich AlbionMF Sammy Clingan 13 January 1984 31 0 Coventry CityMF Steven Davis (C) 1 January 1985 50 4 RangersMF Corry Evans 17 July 1990 14 1 Hull CityMF Johnny Gorman 26 October 1992 8 0 Wolverhampton WanderersMF Pat McCourt 16 December 1983 9 2 CelticMF Niall McGinn 20 July 1987 16 0 Brentford (on loan from Celtic)MF Oliver Norwood 12 April 1991 4 0 Scunthorpe United (on loan from Manchester United)FW Warren Feeney 17 January 1981 45 5 Plymouth ArgyleFW David Healy 5 August 1979 90 35 RangersRecent 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 Lee Camp 22 August 1984 6 0 Nottingham Forestv 
Estonia, 7 October 2011GK Alan Blayney 9 October 1981 5 0 Linfieldv Wales, 27 May 2011GK Jonathan Tuffey 20 January 1987 8 0 Inverness Caledonian Thistlev Wales, 27 May 2011DF Aaron Hughes 8 November 1979 79 1 Fulhamv Estonia, 7 October 2011DF Colin Coates 26 October 1985 6 0 Crusadersv Wales, 27 May 2011DF Carl Winchester 12 April 1993 1 0 Oldham Athleticv Wales, 27 May 2011DF Adam Thompson 28 September 1992 2 0 Brentford (on loan from Watford)v 
Republic of Ireland, 24 May 2011DF Stephen Craigan 29 October 1976 54 0 Motherwellv 
Slovenia, 29 March 2011DF Rory McArdle 1 May 1987 4 0 Aberdeenv 
Morocco, 17 November 2010MF Grant McCann 15 April 1980 37 4 Peterborough Unitedv Estonia, 7 October 2011MF Josh Carson 3 June 1993 2 0 Ipswich Townv Estonia, 6 September 2011MF Stuart Dallas 19 April 1991 1 0 Crusadersv Wales, 27 May 2011MF Robert Garrett 5 May 1988 5 0 Linfieldv Wales, 27 May 2011MF Adam Barton 7 January 1991 1 0 Preston North Endv Morocco, 17 November 2010MF Michael O'Connor 6 October 1987 10 0 Scunthorpe Unitedv Morocco, 17 November 2010FW Kyle Lafferty 16 September 1987 31 8 Rangersv Estonia, 7 October 2011FW Josh McQuoid 15 December 1989 5 0 Millwallv Estonia, 7 October 2011FW Jamie Ward 12 May 1986 1 0 Derby Countyv Estonia, 7 October 2011FW Peter Thompson 2 May 1984 8 1 Linfieldv 
Faroe Islands, 10 August 2011FW Liam Boyce 8 April 1991 4 0 
Werder Bremen IIv Wales, 27 May 2011FW Jordan Owens 9 July 1989 1 0 Crusadersv Wales, 27 May 2011FW Rory Patterson 16 July 1984 5 1 Linfield (on loan from Plymouth Argyle)v Scotland, 9 February 2011FW Josh Magennis 15 August 1990 3 0 Aberdeenv Morocco, 17 November 2010Previous 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–present 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 29 Bryan Hamilton 1969–1980 50 4 James Quinn 1996–2007 50 4 Top Ireland / Northern Ireland goalscorers
# 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 11 October 2011
Manager Career Played Won Drawn Lost Win % Loss % Peter Doherty1951–1962 56 11 15 30 19.64 53.57 Bertie Peacock1962–1967 22 9 3 10 40.91 45.45 Billy Bingham1967–1971 20 8 3 9 40.00 45.00 Terry Neill1971–1975 20 6 6 8 30.00 40.00 Dave Clements1975–1976 11 2 2 7 18.18 63.64 Danny Blanchflower1976–1979 16 4 4 8 25.00 50.00 Billy Bingham1980–1994 118 40 34 44 33.90 37.29 Bryan Hamilton1994–1998 32 8 9 15 25.00 46.88 Lawrie McMenemy1998–1999 14 4 3 7 28.57 50.00 Sammy McIlroy2000–2003 31 4 10 17 12.90 54.84 Lawrie Sanchez2004–2007 32 11 10 11 34.38 34.38 Nigel Worthington2007-2011 41 9 10 22 21.95 53.66 Current coaching staff
- Manager:
- Assistant Manager: Glynn Snodin
- Goalkeeping coach: Fred Barber
- Physio: Terry Hayes
- Team Attendant: Derek McKinley
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
- ^ 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". http://www.eloratings.net/Ireland.htm. 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". http://www.eloratings.net/Nthrn_Irelnd.htm. Retrieved 2007-02-14.)
- ^ http://www.irishfa.com/international/fixtures-and-results/historical-results/
- ^ Irish Football Association (2009). Official Souvenir Programme: Northern Ireland vs Serbia. Belfast:Irish Football Association
- ^ Jackson, Lyle (2009-11-14). "BBC:''Northern Ireland 0–1 Serbia''". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/8360701.stm. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
- ^ "IFA wants out of Windsor contract". BBC News. 17 July 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/6902212.stm. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
- ^ "Lord's Hansard on the question of building an NI national stadium". http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199697/ldhansrd/pdvn/lds06/text/60131w04.htm.
- ^ "Tide Turns Against The Maze". http://stadiumforbelfast.com/news/maze-tide-turning.shtml.
- ^ Report slams Windsor Park safety BBC News
- ^ IFA wants out of Windsor contract BBC News
- ^ South Stand future under threat BBC News
- ^ Plans for £128m Belfast stadium unveiled – The Independent, 25/03/09
- ^ IFA 'backs Windsor as NI stadium' – BBC News, 07/09/09
- ^ Linfield FC has £20m stadium plan – BBC News, 12/06/09
- ^ Stadiums fit for our heroes on way at last – Belfast Telegraph, 11/03/11
- ^ Brian McNally (2010-03-05). "Why Northern Ireland continue to pay the price for abuse dished out to Neil Lennon". Daily Mirror. http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-mcnally/Why-the-talent-drain-to-the-Republic-shows-Northern-Ireland-are-still-paying-the-price-for-abuse-dished-out-to-Neil-Lennon-The-Brian-McNally-Column-article344981.html. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
- ^ Tim Rich (2002-08-23). "Death threat forces Lennon to place family feelings first". London: The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/death-threat-forces-lennon-to-place-family-feelings-first-640706.html. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
- ^ "BBC News Star helps in graffiti removal". 30 October 2003. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/3228195.stm. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
- ^ "Lennon hails anti-sectarian drive". BBC News. 25 October 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/6085396.stm. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
- ^ "PRAISE FOR IFA'S FOOTBALL FOR ALL AWARDS NIGHT". http://www.irishfa.com/the-ifa/news/2813/praise-for-ifas-football-for-all-awards-night.
- ^ http://www.irishfa.com/news/item/2390/northern-ireland-fans-are-officially-the-best-in-europe/
- ^ "Holding pen plan is dismissed by Northern Ireland supporters’ group". Belfast Telegraph. 2011-02-21. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/holding-pen-plan-is-dismissed-by-northern-ireland-supportersrsquo-group-15090967.html. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
- ^ "Ballymena's Denver Gage faces sectarian songs probe". BBC. 2011-02-19. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/northern_ireland/9402765.stm. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
- ^ "Irish FA to ban Northern Ireland fan after chants". BBC News. 2011-02-18. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/irish/9402299.stm. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
- ^ . http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-14466874.
- ^ "BBC news story on NI ticket sales". BBC News. 5 April 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4880528.stm. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
- ^ "Football: George Best: Football's first icon". The Guardian (London). 27 November 2005. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2005/nov/27/sport.comment1.
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15073727.stm
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15227954.stm
- ^ . http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/article3199017.ece.
External links
- Irish Football Association – Northern Ireland Football official site
- Northern Ireland Stats & Statistics
- RSSSF archive of international results 1882–
- RSSSF archive of most capped players and highest goalscorers
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