Red Rum will always be associated with Aintree and the Grand National. A gelding bred to be a sprinter transformed the ailing race into the behemoth it is now and in the process became a celebrity that opened shops, starred on television shows and sold merchandise. Through it all, Derek Critchley, a key member of the Ginger McCain team, had a front row seat, writes Daragh Ó Conchúir

Steven Davis will earn his 100th Northern Ireland cap tomorrow night but he insists the World Cup play-off with Switzerland is more important than such personal landmarks.

Liam Brady once said the best two keepers he played with were also the quietest — Dino Zoff and Pat Jennings. The latter knows the uphill battle facing Northern Ireland this month, but is living proof of what can be achieved punching above their weight.

Felix Healy is the only Irishman, north or south, to make the leap from domestic leagues to a major international tournament. Brendan O’Brien spoke to him about 1982, the World Cup, balancing his days playing football with nights as a gigging musician and a life less ordinary.

Northern Ireland 1 Slovenia 0: Northern Ireland eclipsed Billy Bingham’s team of the mid 1980s by stretching their unbeaten run into double figures, as they beat Slovenia 1-0 in their friendly in Belfast last night.

Wales 1 Northern Ireland 1

Martin O’Neill is hoping to get by Bosnia and Herzegovina with a little help from his friends – in particular Wales manager Chris Coleman.

Photographer Billy Stickland rewinds through 25 years of Ireland ’s award-winning Inpho Sports Agency and tells the stories behind some of his own most memorable shots. Liam Mackey reports.

Millwall 5 Dagenham & Redbridge 0

The public is far more sophisticated now, though the national team’s style of football isn’t.

As a player Rory Gallagher always made a big impression and brought a swagger to Fermanagh football. Now, as right hand man to Jim McGuinness, he’s bringing that style to Donegal.

Nigel Worthington is not interested in discussing a new contract as Northern Ireland boss until his country’s World Cup fate is settled.

TO BORROW the words of a famous fictional Roman general: ‘Are you not entertained?’ Ulster has shone like a beacon in what has been a mediocre championship but never so bright as on Saturday evening.

David Healy may perform in England’s second tier with Leeds but he has the ability to play at the top level, according to Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez.

Football legend George Best today made his final journey though the streets of his home city in an extraordinary funeral for an extraordinary man.

The North today witnessed an extraordinary outpouring of grief and affection for soccer legend George Best as his funeral ceremony began in Stormont’s Parliament Buildings.

Tens of thousands of people gathered at Stormont today as Belfast prepared to pay its last respects to its most famous footballing son, George Best.

Manchester United and Northern Ireland footballing greats are to carry George Best’s coffin, it was confirmed tonight.

JIMMY NICHOLL missed out on the Northern Ireland manager’s job because he could not agree terms, it was revealed yesterday.

FAI PRESIDENT Milo Corcoran yesterday said the new international team manager would be expected to have a much greater involvement in football in Ireland than had Mick McCarthy or Jack Charlton.

Northern Ireland 0 Czech Republic 1