O'Neill factfile
As former Shamrock Rovers boss Michael O'Neill takes the reins as the new Northern Ireland manager we look back at his life and career to date.
Last Updated: December 28, 2011 2:54pm
Former Shamrock Rovers boss Michael O'Neill has been appointed as the new Northern Ireland manager.
O'Neill, who earned 33 caps for his country, edged out two other former internationals in Jim Magilton and Iain Dowie for the job and will start work with the Irish Football Association on February 1.
Here we look at the 42-year-old's life and career.
1969: July 5 - Born in Portadown, Northern Ireland.
1984: Begins playing career at Coleraine.
1987: Signs for Newcastle and ends his first season as the club's top scorer.
1988: February 17 - Makes Northern Ireland debut at the age of 18 in a 3-2 defeat to Greece.
1989: April 26 - Scores first international goal in a World Cup qualifier against Malta.
1995: November 15 - Scores twice in a 5-3 win over Austria in Euro 96 qualifying, also hitting the post to miss out on a hat-trick.
1996: October 5 - Earns 33rd and final international cap as a replacement in Northern Ireland's 1-1 draw with Armenia.
2001: After stints with a series of clubs in England and Scotland, moves briefly to the United States to play for the Portland Timbers.
2004: Ends playing career at Ayr United.
2006: Named as assistant manager under Mixu Paatelainen at Cowdenbeath while in April he became Brechin City boss.
2007: Leads Brechin to the Second Division play-offs.
2008: Agrees to join cash-strapped Shamrock Rovers, surprisingly guiding them to second place in League of Ireland.
Michael O'Neill plots European glory for Rovers
2010: Wins the League of Ireland, ending Shamrock's 16-year drought.
2011: August - Sees his Rovers side become the first ever League of Ireland side to qualify for the group stages of a top European competition after beating Partizan Belgrade 3-2 on aggregate in the Europa League play-offs.
October: Completes back-to-back title wins.
November: Describes the Northern Ireland job as "attractive" having previously appeared to rule himself out of the running to replace Nigel Worthington.
December 14: Confirms he will leave Shamrock after contract negotiations are unsuccessful.
December 19: Interviewed by the Irish Football Association for the vacant Northern Ireland job.
December 28: Confirmed by IFA as new Northern Ireland boss on a two-year contract.
