As Sammy McIlroy celebrates his 72nd birthday today, we look at some of his best moments playing for Northern Ireland.
On 16 February 1972 a 17-year-old McIlroy made his senior international debut in a 1-1 draw against Spain in Hull. At the time the midfielder was the third-youngest player to have represented Northern Ireland.
During the 1982 FIFA World Cup McIlroy was a pivotal member of the side that ultimately topped their group and advanced to the second stage of the tournament in Spain.
Four years later he had the honour of captaining his country at the World Cup in Mexico.
In the last edition of the British Home Championship, in the 1983-84 season, he scored the winner against Scotland in a 2-0 victory at Windsor Park in December 1983. Norman Whiteside was the other scorer that day.
The result would eventually help Northern Ireland secure the title on goal difference after all four home nations finished on three points apiece in the competition’s final and 100th anniversary season.
Northern Ireland’s other results in the campaign were a 1-0 defeat to England at Wembley in April 1984 and a 1-1 draw with Wales in Swansea the following month. Gerry Armstrong netted the equaliser in that game.
McIlroy signed for Manchester United in 1969. He played at youth level for the Old Trafford club before making his debut for the senior team in November 1971.
During more than a decade with the Manchester giants the midfielder made 419 appearances in all competitions and scored 71 goals, and he won the FA Cup with them in 1977.
Next stop in his playing career was a three-year stint with Stoke City from 1982 until 1985 (144 games, 14 goals) followed by a couple of years with Manchester City in England’s top flight.
He had a brief spell with Swedish club Örgryte in 1986 before spending over three seasons with Bury from 1986 to 1989. During his time at Bury he went out on loan to Austrian Bundesliga side VfB Modling for a short period.
His final two clubs in his playing days were Preston North End (1989 to 1991) and Northwich Victoria (1991 -1993).
His managerial career began with a spell as player-boss at Northwich Victoria before he took charge of Macclesfield Town for six and a half seasons. Then, between 2000 and 2003, he managed Northern Ireland before returning to club football with Stockport County.
After that McIlroy spent five years with Morecambe. He guided them into the Football League in his first full season in charge.
Displaying stellar playing and leadership qualities, McIlroy was always in the thick of the action as he amassed 88 appearances for his country between 1972 and 1987, scoring five goals along the way.
Happy Birthday Sammy!
