IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

The Irish Football Association (IFA) is the fourth oldest in the world - after England, Scotland and Wales - being founded at a meeting in the Queens Hotel, Belfast, in 1880.

The national Challenge Cup competition was established at the same meeting, with the inaugural tournament won by Moyola Park. The first international was played the following year against England - a heavy defeat of 13-0.

After Ireland's split in 1921, the IFA continued to govern the game in Northern Ireland whilst the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) was formed to govern the game in the Republic of Ireland.

Northern Ireland have qualified for the World Cup Finals, the showpiece of international football, on 3 occasions, advancing to the quarter-finals at their first two appearances in 1958 and 1982.

Recently the side has gone through tougher times, and famously went 1,298 minutes without a goal during a winless streak that lasted from October 2001 to March 2004. However, with Lawrie Sanchez now installed as coach, Northern Ireland will be hoping for a better showing in the 2006 World Cup Qualifiers.

Founded

 18.11.1880

Pro players

 326

Amt players

 16,500

Yth players

 8,500

FIFA  ranking

 112 (July 04)

Coach

 Lawrie Sanchez


Lawrie Sanchez

Recent matches v England

Date

Venue

Comp

Score

01 Apr 87

Belfast

ECQ

2-0

15 Oct 86

Wembley

ECQ

3-0

13 Nov 85

Wembley

WCQ

0-0

27 Feb 85

Belfast

WCQ

1-0

04 Apr 84

Wembley

HC

1-0

ECQ = European Championship Qualifier
WCQ = World Cup Qualifier
HC = Home Championship

Star Players

Steve Lomas, 30, has featured in the Northern Ireland side for a decade, scoring three goals in 45 appearances. This right-sided midfielder has been a key player for "The Hammers" since 1997.

Michael Hughes, 32,  burst on to the scene as a flying winger with Manchester City, but has since been converted into a midfield playmaker. He will be making a welcome return to the Premiership this season after helping Crystal Palace to promotion last year. Has 68 international caps to date.

Legend 

George Best - 'El Beatle', as the Manchester United magician was known in his heyday, was dubbed the greatest footballer in the world by Pele, and for good reason. His agility, balance, speed, deftness of touch and clinical finishing made him a frightening prospect. He was instrumental in bringing the European Cup to Old Trafford in 1968, and also won 2 League Championship medals with United.  

Insider's view

Lawrie Sanchez (Northern Ireland Head Coach): "Where some people see the down side I see the opportunities that are available - a new manager can get a goal scored, can get a victory out of his team, can improve the rankings. We can achieve whatever the players want to achieve."

The Colour
NORTHERN IRELAND

Area

 13,576 km2

Population

 1,500,000

Capital

 Belfast

Language

 English
Famous people - Van Morrison (musician), Kenneth Branagh (actor), Alex Higgins (snooker player), C.S.Lewis (author), Seamus Heaney (poet), Eddie Irvine (F1 driver), Liam Neeson (actor),