A week spent playing golf with two former Northern Ireland soccer players along with the acquisition of a very expensive putter has put Michael Hoey in contention at the BMW International Open in Munich.

Here's the sporting year in [guff] quotes.

Celtic 2 Kilmarnock 0

Northern Ireland showed England they have little to fear from a Uruguay side lacking Luis Suarez as they battled to an honourable 1-0 defeat in Montevideo.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has named a familiar squad for his side’s final World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Israel.

Kilmarnock 2 Celtic 5

Michael O’Neill is crossing his fingers that Jonny Evans will be fit enough to feature from the start in his first competitive games as Northern Ireland manager.

Teenage striker Rory Donnelly and Scotland-born defender James McPake have earned their first Northern Ireland call-ups for next month's friendly against Holland in Amsterdam.

Stuart Pearce’s first game as England’s interim manager ended in defeat as Holland’s Arjen Robben scored an injury-time winner during a crazy climax to last night’s friendly international at Wembley.

Northern Ireland 0 Norway 3

Northern Ireland 1 Estonia 2

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington has called up Andrew Little and Josh Carson from the Under-21s after admitting injuries and suspensions had left his squad reduced to “the very bare bones”.

Nigel Worthington expects Steven Davis to bounce back after his error dealt Northern Ireland’s hopes of reaching Euro 2012 a critical blow.

Northern Ireland 0 Serbia 1

Northern Ireland 4 Faroe Islands 0

Northern Ireland 0 Slovenia 0

Serbia 2 N Ireland 1

Nigel Worthington has put his faith in youth by springing a major selection surprise for Northern ireland's Euro 2012 qualifier against Serbia tonight.

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington has been hit by a raft of withdrawals ahead of the Carling Nations Cup match against Scotland on Wednesday.

Blackpool defender Craig Cathcart has been recalled to the Northern Ireland squad for their opening Euro 2012 qualifier against Slovenia in Maribor next Friday.

David Healy will start on the bench tonight when Northern Ireland face Montenegro in a warm-up match ahead of the Euro 2012 qualifiers.

Coventry 3 Sheffield United 2

Coventry made it two wins from two in the Coca-Cola Championship as they brushed aside a somewhat disappointing 10-man Barnsley side.

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington is trying to remain grounded even though his improving team have made history.

NORTHERN IRELAND manager Nigel Worthington told his players to continue dreaming of a place at the World Cup after Warren Feeney earned them victory over Group Three rivals Slovenia.

Northern Ireland remained a point clear at the top of Group Three in World Cup qualifying with a hard-fought 1-0 defeat of Slovenia.

Northern Ireland 1 Slovenia 0

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington is looking for his side to raise the bar on Saturday and improve their chances of making it to the World Cup.

Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign is up and running and so too is Damien Johnson.

Norwich midfielder Sammy Clingan has been ruled out of Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against San Marino tomorrow because of a thigh strain.

Northern Ireland 0 Hungary 2

A LATE Garry O’Connor goal gave Birmingham a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace and put Alex McLeish’s men top of the Championship.

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington is waiting for news of Jonny Evans’ fitness today.

Sammy Clingan, Stephen Craigan and Michael Duff have withdrawn from the Northern Ireland squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and San Marino, the Irish Football Association have confirmed.

Northern Ireland 0 Czech Republic 0

Slovakia 2 Northern Ireland 1

GEORGE BURLEY was left still seeking his first win as Scotland manager heading into next month’s World Cup qualifiers after being held to a goalless stalemate by Northern Ireland at Hampden.

Scotland 0 N Ireland 0

Northern Ireland 0 Bulgaria 1

Sweden 1 Northern Ireland 1

Winger Keith Gillespie was today included in the Northern Ireland squad for the Euro 2008 qualifier against Sweden.

David Healy has spoken of his pride at scoring a hat-trick in Northern Ireland’s stunning 3-2 win over Spain in their Euro 2008 qualifier last night.

Northern Ireland 3 Spain 2

Northern Ireland players will share a bonus of £1m (€1.5m) plus should they qualify for Euro 2008.

Kyle Lafferty is living the dream for Northern Ireland and ready to answer the call in the Euro 2008 qualifiers.

West Ham goalkeeper Roy Carroll has been recalled to the Northern Ireland squad for the friendly against Finland in Helsinki on Wednesday.

FIFA has told Northern Ireland their players must hold British passports if they are to represent their country.

Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez has made sure his team will be well prepared for their friendly against Uruguay at the Giants Stadium, in New Jersey, tomorrow.

The American dream is alive and kicking for four Northern Ireland U21 players.

Sam Morrow stepped off the bench to cap a dream debut for Northern Ireland with the winner in this friendly at the Oval tonight.