Northern Ireland hires O'Neill

LONDON (AP):

Michael O'Neill will attempt to guide Northern Ireland to a first major tournament since 1986 after being hired as the country's new manager on a two-year deal Wednesday.

The former Newcastle midfielder will take charge on February 1 after being chosen ahead of two other former Northern Ireland internationals, Jim Magilton and Iain Dowie, as the replacement for Nigel Worthington.

The 42-year-old O'Neill came to prominence this season by leading Shamrock Rovers into the group stages of the Europa League - an unprecedented achievement for a club from Ireland. He quit as manager this month, fuelling speculation he would be taken on by Northern Ireland.

"To be entrusted with the role early in my managerial career is quite humbling but I am confident that we can make progress," he said.

No star names

A country with a current population of less than two million, Northern Ireland have qualified for three World Cups - in 1958, '82 and '86 - but has struggled since. They are currently 88th in the FIFA rankings.

The late George Best is Northern Ireland's most-famous ever player but the current crop lacks any star names, with Manchester United defender Jonny Evans and West Bromwich Albion midfielder Chris Brunt the leading players.

After a bright start, Northern Ireland finished fifth in their six-team qualifying group for the 2012 European Championship, below the likes of Estonia and Slovenia.

"There is a huge amount of work to be done but with the right direction and the necessary passion, good progress can be made," O'Neill said.

"My job is to work with the players to sustain a competitive performance throughout the qualifying phase of the 2014 World Cup finals."