McIlroy moves to Stockport

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

The former Manchester United midfielder has joined the Edgeley Park club, just five days after the end of Northern Ireland’s disappointing Euro 2004 qualifying campaign.

The Irish finished bottom of Group Six, having failed to win any of their eight matches, and went 1,242 minutes without scoring a goal under McIlroy, who resigned as coach of the national side this morning.