Northern Hoops feel like international exiles

SHAMROCK ROVERS might be on the brink of a double but being part of an already momentous season for the club doesn’t seem to have done its Northern Ireland players any favours at international level.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow night’s title decider in Bray, goalkeeper Alan Mannus and striker Thomas Stewart have both expressed disappointment at what they believe to be Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington’s less than enthusiastic attitude towards the Airtricity League.

Asked if he felt signing for Rovers had jeopardised his international career – the former Linfield man has earned four caps for his country since 2004 - 28-year-old Mannus said: “At the time I wasn’t sure but, yeah, definitely. I don’t agree with what the manager (Worthington) says but then my opinion doesn’t seem to matter to him.