McIlroy lifts Northern Ireland's spirits

For someone acknowledged as a second choice when he was appointed, and who did not even come close to FIFA World Cup qualification, Sammy McIlroy is proving to be a remarkably popular Northern Ireland manager.

Results improved
McIlroy has improved results, and also increased confidence and morale after the dark end days of his predecessor Lawrie McMenemy, a man who basically lost his job due to opposition from the public and the media. McIlroy's team appears to be moving in the right direction, playing better football and producing better results.

Pleasant personality
Much of the positive public perception of the 47-year-old is also result of his own pleasant personality and down-to-earth nature. It also helped that McIlroy is a local lad, a Belfast boy.

Open secret 
When McIlroy was appointed in January 2000, it was an open secret that Martin O'Neill was the man the Irish Football Association really wanted. However, O'Neill stayed with Leicester City FC, with his beloved Celtic undoubtedly in mind, and McIlroy was handed the task.

Pride restored 
The former Manchester United FC midfield player vowed to bring back the pride in playing for Northern Ireland that had been so evident when he represented his country, especially under the management of Billy Bingham; he has achieved that.

Tough job
Only two players - Pat Jennings and Mal Donaghy - have won more caps than McIlroy, who made 88 appearances for his country between 1972 and 1987, acting as captain in the 1986 World Cup finals. Reaching those finals and those in Spain four years earlier, has made the Northern Ireland job a tough one for Bingham's successors.

Optimistic attitude
Yet McIlroy has rarely moaned about the limited playing resources available to him, preferring to accentuate the positive instead. McIlroy's attitude is realistic but also optimistic, accepting when his side are underdogs but always refusing to accept defeat in advance of a game, no matter how strong the opposition may appear.

Impressive performances 
That approach has resulted in two draws with Denmark, who eventually topped their 2002 World Cup European qualifying Group Three, and impressive performances in narrow defeats by the skilful Czech Republic.

Harder to beat 
On his appointment, McIlroy's aim was to make Northern Ireland 'hard to beat'. He has certainly made them harder to beat, but qualification for another major tournament will depend on winning more matches themselves. At least, as befits a player who hade his mark as a 17-year-old and played for his country a year later, McIlroy is prepared to give young talent its chance.

Busby signing 
McIlroy had experience of a revival early in his playing career. Famously he was the last of the 'Busby Babes', the final player signed at Old Trafford by United's legendary manager Matt Busby. A precocious talent, he made his Football League debut in a 1971 derby at the age of 17, scoring against Manchester City FC in a 3-3 draw.

Crowned champions 
However, from that auspicious start, just three years after United had been crowned champions of Europe, the Old Trafford team slid slowly backwards until their relegation in 1974. McIlroy helped them straight back up to the top flight and won an FA Cup in 1977 against Liverpool FC, also scoring a famous goal in the thrilling 3-2 defeat by Arsenal in the FA Cup final two years later.

Hometown crossed 
Moving on to Stoke City FC, he later crossed his adopted hometown to join Manchester City, before further spells in the north-west of England, with Bury FC and ending up with Preston North End FC as a player-coach. Offered league coaching positions, McIlroy instead began his managerial career at English non-League side Northwich Victoria FC, moving on to Ashton United FC, before taking over at Macclesfield Town FC in the 1993/94 season.

Greatest period 
McIlroy inspired the Moss Rose club to the greatest period in their history, winning the Football Conference in 1994/95 and again in 1996/97, the latter success earning them promotion to the English Football League third division as their ground was now up to standard. Their on-pitch performances were well above standard, amazingly winning immediate promotion as runners-up, although they lasted only one season up in the second divison before relegation.

Sure progress 
The 1999/00 season back down in the Third Division was one of consolidation for McIlroy and Macclesfield but the manager had done enough to catch the eye of the international Committee at the Irish Football Association. He is now making progress, slowly but surely. The future is not necessarily bright, but, under smiling Sammy, at least it is brighter.