Northern Ireland National Under-23 Football Team
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Northern Ireland National Under-23 team is a football (soccer) team representing Northern Ireland featuring footballers playing in the Irish League. The team first played at this level in 2007 when entering the International Challenge Trophy for national semi-professional Under-23 sides, though previously the Northern Ireland Under-23 team offered a recognised stepping stone for all young players hoping to progess to the full Northern Ireland side.
Contents |
[edit] The Original Under-23s
The original Northern Ireland Under-23 side played a total of ten matches, all but three in the 1960s[1]. Players to have stepped-up from the Under-23 side to full international level include Pat Jennings, Bryan Hamilton, Neil Lennon and Sammy Clingan.
[edit] The New Under-23s
The Irish FA announced on 2 October 2007 that they would be entering a side in the International Challenge Trophy (previously the European Challenge Trophy)[2]. The team was to be selected from players playing in the Irish League.
[edit] References
- ^ "List of Northern Ireland Under-23 Players and fixtures", 14 May 2008
- ^ "NI to compete for U23 silverware ", 14 May 2008