Former Northern Ireland captain Alan McDonald has died at the age of 48.

MANCHESTER UNITED legend Gary Pallister and Sammy McIlroy yesterday expressed surprise at the way which Manchester United manager set his team up for Wednesday’s Champions League final defeat to Barcelona

Cork City have been blocked from talking to former Northern Ireland boss Sammy McIlroy by his current club.

MORECAMBE have blocked a move by Cork City to speak to Sammy McIlroy about their vacant managerial post.

Irish Football Association president Jim Boyce insists they will respect the privacy of all applicants for the position of national team manager.

Irish Football Association president Jim Boyce claims “substantial progress” has been made in the search for Lawrie Sanchez’s successor as national team boss.

Former England goalkeeper Dave Beasant has played down speculation linking him with the vacant Northern Ireland manager’s job.

‘I DON’T shine if you don’t shine,’ a line from The Killers’ new album rang a bell when considering Steve Staunton’s situation during the week. Management is all about reflected glory, when you think about it.

FORMER Northern Ireland manager Sammy McIlroy has taken over as caretaker manager of Conference club Morecambe.

Former Northern Ireland manager Sammy McIlroy has taken over as caretaker manager of Conference club Morecambe.

ROY KEANE is already moving towards the final phase of his UEFA coaching licence — but his retirement plans are beginning to gather dust as he continues to boss Premiership midfields.

Stockport County have appointed former Hartlepool and Sheffield Wednesday boss Chris Turner as their new manager.

Sammy McIlroy has left Stockport by mutual consent following a miserable start to their Coca-Cola League One campaign.

Stockport boss Sammy McIlroy is waiting to hear from Mick McCarthy about Andy Welsh, who is on trial with Sunderland.

West Ham manager Alan Pardew has problems in defence following Calum Davenport’s surprise return to Tottenham.

THE FAI announced yesterday that the women’s FAI Cup final will be played as a curtain-raiser to the Carlsberg FAI Cup final in Lansdowne Road on Sunday - but the announcement might be overshadowed by an off-the-cuff comment by FAI chief executive Fran Rooney.

GREECE’S Euro 2004 triumph has given a lift to all soccer’s smaller nations, Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez said yesterday before his team’s World Cup 2006 qualifying campaign.

Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez believes he has his players believing they can again win matches again – a far cry from the defeatist attitude of six months ago.

Northern Ireland 1 Serbia & Montenegro 1

Northern Ireland 1 Serbia & Montenegro 1

The wind of change is sweeping through Northern Ireland now Lawrie Sanchez is in charge.

Lawrie Sanchez is suffering from fatigue as he prepares for his first match in charge of Northern Ireland.

Lawrie Sanchez has told Northern Ireland's bright young things to keep knocking on his door.

Jim Boyce is pleading with Northern Ireland supporters to give their unqualified backing to new manager Lawrie Sanchez.

Lawrie Sanchez is scheduled to be unveiled as Northern Ireland’s new manager today knowing he has a fight on his hands to win over the supporters.

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

Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston has revealed that the Irish Football Association have begun negotiations with his club and assistant manager Jimmy Nicholl over his possible succession to Sammy McIlroy.

Neil Lennon is willing to talk to the new Northern Ireland manager about his future but concedes he is unlikely to return to the international arena.

The IFA has drawn up a short-list of candidates for the Northern Ireland manager's job and will start interviewing in a fortnight.

The Irish Football Association’s international committee are due to reconvene tonight and take a step nearer to appointing a new Northern Ireland manager.

Second Division Oldham have blocked the Irish Football Association’s bid to talk to manager Iain Dowie.

Stockport boss Sammy McIlroy has been given the go-ahead to try and sign Aston Villa pair Boaz Myhill and Danny Jackman on a permanent basis.

Sven-Goran Eriksson insisted England’s World Cup 2006 qualifying draw is “absolutely not easy” after being paired with Wales and Northern Ireland.

Irish Football Association president Jim Boyce tonight described Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifying draw as “a dream come true”.

SAMMY McIlroy has been appointed manager of Second Division Stockport, after abandoning his role as Northern Ireland coach.

Sammy McIlroy has resigned as manager of Northern Ireland, the Irish Football Association confirmed this morning.

The Irish Football Association confirms Sammy McIlroy has officially resigned as manager of Northern Ireland.

NORTHERN IRELAND manager Sammy McIlroy has been given permission to talk to Second Division Stockport County about taking over the vacant manager’s position at Edgeley Park.

Northern Ireland manager Sammy McIlroy has been given permission to talk to Second Division Stockport County about taking over the vacant manager’s position at Edgeley Park.

Irish Football Association president Jim Boyce has re-iterated his full support for Sammy McIlroy.

Sammy McIlroy has been given a rousing vote of confidence by the Northern Ireland players.

Greece 1 N Ireland 0

NORTHERN IRELAND manager Sammy McIlroy got a real boost yesterday when Keith Gillespie linked up with the squad at their London base.