McIlroy fuming as NI Euro preparations disrupted

Northern Ireland manager Sammy McIlroy's run of back luck continued today when the squad's luggage failed to arrive on the team's flight to Spain in the early hours of this morning.

This calamity followed a four-and-a half-hour delay at Heathrow Airport last night which left both McIlroy and IFA President Jim Boyce fuming. Bad weather in Barcelona was the reason given for the delay in London, but the non-arrival of the team's luggage resulted in the disruption of the planned morning training session which was delayed until Thursday afternoon.

Hardly the smooth preparation that the Northern Ireland team, currently ranked 98th in the world, had been hoping for as they gear up for Saturday's opening Euro 2004 qualifying tie against Spain in Albecete.

Adding to McIlroy's woe is the loss of Dundee United defender Danny Griffin who is ruled out of the tie because of a back injury. Griffin is to be replaced by Wrexham's Shaun Holmes.

Meanwhile, Sports Minister, Michael McGimpsey, today confirmed that he has asked the Soccer Advisory Panel to examine the IFA’s response to its original recommendations for the future of football in Northern Ireland.

Mr McGimpsey also confirmed that as a consequence of the work carried out by the body and discussions with the Minister of Finance, funds are to be available for investment in Northern Ireland football over the next three years.

Mr McGimpsey said he had closely studied the IFA’s response and asked Billy Hamilton to bring his team together to examine the proposals, adopt a sound strategy, and move forward.

He said he had "substantial discussions with the Minister of Finance to secure funding" and had a "firm expectation" that funds would be made available for investment in football in Northern Ireland over the next three years.

Mr McGimpsey added that while he could not approve that investment in the absence of a proper strategy he looked forward to hearing the views of the Advisory Panel.

(MB)