Northern Ireland national Junior football team explained

Northern Ireland Juniors
Fifa Trigramme:NIR
Nickname:Green and White Army, Norn Iron
Association:Irish Football Association
Confederation:UEFA (Europe)
Coach:Harry McConkey
Captain:William Armstrong
Most Caps:Brian Hylands (25)[1]
Home Stadium:various
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First Game: 0–11
(Glasgow; 15 February 1890)
Largest Win: 5–0
(Luxembourg; 1 October 2000)
Largest Loss: 0–11
(Glasgow; 15 February 1890)
Regional Name:UEFA Regions Cup
Regional Cup Apps:2
Regional Cup First:2007
Regional Cup Best: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 have been the representatives five times and the Western Region once having won a 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 three times, in 1995, 1996 and 2017.

Current squad

The following players were selected for the Junior International Quadrangular Tournament held in Glasgow, Scotland from 11–14 October 2017.[4]

Kit NumberPositionNameClub
1 Jordan Williamson PSNI
12 Paul Wells Limavady United
2 Dale Montgomery Loughgall
3 William Armstrong (C) Harland & Wolff Welders
4 Scott McMillan Harland & Wolff Welders
5 Dean Curry Institute
6 Ryan DeansHarland & Wolff Welders
7 Dylan Wilson PSNI
8 Jordan Gibson Lurgan Celtic
9 Warner Mullen Lurgan Celtic
10 Ryan Campbell Dergview
11 Ricky Thompson Dollingstown
13 Ryan Morrow Institute
14 Aaron Walsh Maiden City
15 Ryan Arthurs Knockbreda
16 Adam Gray Ballyclare Comrades
17 Stewart Nixon Ballyclare Comrades
18 Stephen Curry Institute
19 Mark Kelly Ballyclare Comrades
20 Craig Harris Harland & Wolff Welders

Competition Records

UEFA Regions' Cup

See main article: UEFA Regions' Cup.

YearRoundGPWDLGSGA
1999[5] did not enter
2001[6] Qualifying Round 311184
2003[7] Qualifying Round 310243
2005[8] Qualifying Round 311163
2007[9] 1 Finals – Group Stage 9531116
2009[10] 1 Intermediate Round 311133
2011[11] 1 Intermediate Round 621366
2013[12] 1 Finals – Group Stage 95221512
2015[13] 1 Finals – Group Stage 6411157
2017[14] 2 Intermediate Round 300326
2019[15] 1 Intermediate Round 310234
Total4821101357049
Since 2007, Northern Ireland has been represented by the winner of a play-off between the Eastern Region1 and Western Region2.

Quadrangular Tournament

See main article: Junior International Quadrangular Tournament.

YearRoundPositionGPWDLGSGA
1993–94 did not enter1
1994–95Final1st211043
1995–96 Final1st220031
1996–97 Final2nd201123
1997–98 3rd place play-off4th201114
1998–99 3rd place play-off4th200218
1999–2000 3rd place play-off4th200213
2000–01 League[16] 3rd310225
2002-03 League4th301239
2004–05 League3rd311134
2007–08 League3rd302167
2009–10 League4th302124
2013–14 League3rd310236
2017–18 League1st321083
Total33810153960
1 A Mid Ulster side represented Northern Ireland

Notes and References

  1. Web site: JUNIOR INTERNATIONAL DEFEAT IN DUBLIN . Irish FA . 12 June 2011.
  2. Web site: Northern Ireland Junior International Results (1890-1994) . NIFG . 24 March 2013.
  3. Web site: Northern Ireland in the UEFA Regions' Cup . NIFG . 24 March 2013.
  4. Web site: McConkey delighted with Northern Ireland’s success at Umbro tournament. Irish FA. 17 October 2017.
  5. Web site: UEFA Regions Cup 1999. RSSSF. 21 May 2019.
  6. Web site: UEFA Regions Cup 2000/01. RSSSF. 21 May 2019.
  7. Web site: UEFA Regions Cup 2002/03. RSSSF. 21 May 2019.
  8. Web site: UEFA Regions Cup 2004/05. RSSSF. 21 May 2019.
  9. Web site: UEFA Regions Cup 2006/07. RSSSF. 21 May 2019.
  10. Web site: UEFA Regions Cup 2008/09. RSSSF. 21 May 2019.
  11. Web site: UEFA Regions Cup 2010/11. RSSSF. 21 May 2019.
  12. Web site: UEFA Regions Cup 2012/13. RSSSF. 21 May 2019.
  13. Web site: UEFA Regions Cup 2014/15. RSSSF. 21 May 2019.
  14. Web site: UEFA Regions Cup 2016/17. RSSSF. 21 May 2019.
  15. Web site: UEFA Regions Cup: Standings. UEFA. 22 May 2019.
  16. Web site: Non-League Scotland.