Northern Ireland national Junior football team

Northern Ireland Juniors
Nickname(s) Green and White Army, Norn Iron
Association Irish Football Association
Confederation UEFA (Europe)
Head coach Harry McConkey
Captain James Cully
Most caps Brian Hylands (25)[1]
Home stadium various
FIFA code NIR
First colours
Second colours
First international
 Ireland 0–11 Scotland 
(Glasgow; 15 February 1890)
Biggest win
 Northern Ireland 5–0 Luxembourg 
(Luxembourg; 1 October 2000)
Biggest defeat
 Ireland 0–11 Scotland 
(Glasgow; 15 February 1890)
UEFA Regions Cup
Appearances 2 (First in 2007)
Best result Finals Group Stage

The Northern Ireland Junior national football team, commonly referred to as Northern Ireland Juniors, represents Northern Ireland in international association football matches for teams selected outside national professional leagues. Originally selected on an all-Ireland basis, the team is now limited to selecting players appearing in intermediate and junior leagues within Northern Ireland. A number of players have graduated from the Junior international side to the senior international side, notably Norman Uprichard and Dick Keith who played at the 1958 World Cup. The most recent player to graduate to the senior team was Stuart Dallas.

History

Ireland Juniors played their first representative match against Scotland in 1890. The Scots became the primary opponents for Ireland Juniors through to the 1990s with only occasional matches against Wales and the Republic of Ireland for variety.[2]

Today

The main competition for junior level national teams in Europe is the UEFA Regions Cup. Northern Ireland Juniors first entered in 2000 but a change in the rules mean that since 2007 the national team has been unable to enter and a regional select has entered in its stead.[3] Since this change the Eastern Region has been Northern Ireland's only representative having defeated the Western Region in each play-off.

In addition Northern Ireland Juniors regularly compete in the International Quadrangular Tournament along with Scotland, the Republic of Ireland and the Isle of Man. Northern Ireland have won this competition twice, in 1995 and 1996.

Current squad

The following players were selected for the Junior International Quadrangular Tournament held in Limerick, Ireland from 2–6 October 2013.[4]

Position Name Club
GK Steven McKay Dundela
GK Robert Robinson Lisburn Distillery
DF Jeff Brady Loughgall
DF Andrew Doyle Ballyclare Comrades
DF Aaron Harmon Carrick Rangers
DF Gary Haveron Carrick Rangers
DF Paddy McLaughlin Institute
DF Scott McMillan Shankill United
DF Pat McShane Larne
MF Wes Boyle Loughgall
MF Daniel Burns Dundela
MF Kyle Cherry Dundela
MF Steven Cockcroft Harland & Wolff Welders
MF Colum Curtis Knockbreda
MF Correy Davidson Carrick Rangers
MF Gary Henderson Institute
MF Aaron Walsh Institute
FW John Boyce Immaculata
FW Miguel Chines Knockbreda
FW Daniel Ryan Loughgall

Competition Records

UEFA Regions' Cup

Main article: UEFA Regions' Cup
Year Round GP W D L GS GA
1999 Did not enter
2001 Qualifying Round311184
2003 Qualifying Round310243
2005 Qualifying Round311163
20071 Finals – Group Stage9531116
20091 Intermediate Round311133
20111 Intermediate Round621366
20131 Finals95221512
20151 Finals6411157
Total422010126844

1 Since 2007 Northern Ireland has been represented by the winner of a play-off between the Eastern Region and Western Region. To date the Eastern Region have been the only winner.

Quadrangular Tournament

Year Round Position GP W D L GS GA
Republic of Ireland 1993–94 Did not enter1
Scotland 1994–95Final1st211043
Isle of Man 1995–96 Final1st220031
Northern Ireland 1996–97 Final2nd201123
Republic of Ireland 1997–98 3rd place play-off4th201114
Scotland 1998–99 3rd place play-off4th200218
Isle of Man 1999–2000 3rd place play-off4th200213
Northern Ireland 2000–01 League[5]3rd310225
Republic of Ireland 2002-03 League4th301239
Scotland 2004–05 League3rd311134
Isle of Man 2007–08 League3rd302167
Northern Ireland 2009–10 League4th302124
Republic of Ireland 2013-14 League3rd310236
Total 3069153157

1 A Mid Ulster side represented Northern Ireland

References

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