Q Radio Sport
Ian Baraclough has been appointed as the new manager of Northern Ireland.
The former Motherwell, Scunthorpe and Sligo manager steps up from his role of under-21 boss to succeed former head coach Michael O'Neill.
The Leicester-born 49-year-old has been given an 18-month contract to take in the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign.
New @NorthernIreland boss Ian Baraclough has been given an 18-month contract. He says taking charge is “an honour and a privilege. I couldn’t be more energised and excited to get going.” Here's the @OfficialIrishFA statement on his appointment: pic.twitter.com/ALygF58aYe
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) June 27, 2020
His first games in charge are in the Nations League this September before a Euro qualifying play-off semi-final away to Bosnia-Herzegovina in October.
Victory there would set up a possible final against the Republic of Ireland in Belfast the following month.
Baraclough becomes only the second Englishman to take charge of Northern Ireland, but the Irish Football Association will hope he offers some continuity following the success of O'Neill who appointed him U21 boss in 2017.
In his first interview, Baraclough has said he wants to build on the achievements of the O'Neill era:
🎥 First interview with new @NorthernIreland manager Ian Baraclough - “Let’s continue the upward trend and get to the Euros...The Northern Irish fans are the best” pic.twitter.com/MB9pvVzWPo
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) June 27, 2020
Ian Baraclough with Michael O'Neill after he was appointed NI U21 manager in 2017.
After the managerial announcement on Saturday night, the IFA was hitting the headlines again on Sunday with reports it paid out around £2 million in compensation to a former English schoolboy international following an injury he sustained in 2013 while playing for England against Northern Ireland in an under-16 game. The association has only said: "The Irish FA can confirm this matter has been concluded."
Another new title is being celebrated at Windsor Park.
As expected, Linfield have been crowned Irish League champions.
It's after the Danske Bank Premiership was cut short due to Covid-19 with seven games remaining.
Just in from @OfficialBlues - Linfield F.C are delighted to be Crowned the 19/20 Danske Bank Premiership Champions 🏆” pic.twitter.com/SIgiDuP73M
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) June 26, 2020
So Linfield are crowned #DanskeBankPrem champions - here’s the full story from NIFL: https://t.co/AuS5Tc2osx
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) June 26, 2020
In a nutshell...
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) June 26, 2020
Places decided on mathematical model and it’s confirmed -
Linfield champs, Coleraine runners-up and Institute relegated. Portadown promoted. pic.twitter.com/qDQpF7ZwCu
@OfficialBlues after being crowned champions “This club was prepared to discuss a proportionate one-off donation from the nominated European clubs to assist local football to recover from the Covid-19 crisis, but the unrealistic demands from other clubs made it impossible.” More: https://t.co/UbrjEjQEgR
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) June 26, 2020
Meanwhile, Glentoran have been exonerated in a NIFL investigation.
An issue was raised by the Irish FA's licensing committee.
The Glens have welcomed the decision but chairman Stephen Henderson has added: "We are justifiably angry about the leaking of this information from someone in a position of authority from outside the club.
"This has led to unwarranted press speculation and intrusion, provided fuel for the usual suspects on social media and probably most damaging of all to the integrity of the game, it has been used slanderously as leverage in player negotiations by a rival manager."
Glentoran Football Club Statement: https://t.co/waEr3nQt0A #COYG pic.twitter.com/eUQIuN3O6P
— Glentoran FC (@Glentoran) June 29, 2020
Finally, Institute intend to challenge their relegation from the Premiership:
Institute Football Club has launched an official appeal against the decision to relegate the club from the Danske Bank Premiership.
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) June 29, 2020
Automatic relegation was imposed by the Northern Ireland Football League Board last week, as a result of a mathematical formula. pic.twitter.com/FDHeXysAcQ