28/04/2004

Taylor to captain NI for second match

Birmingham City goalkeeper Maik Taylor captain's Northern Ireland for the second time tonight as Lawrie Sanchez' side take on Serbia & Montenegro in a friendly at Windsor Park.

Taylor continues as stand in for regular captain Aaron Hughes who had to pull out of the squad for club reasons.

The German born goalkeeper captained Northern Ireland for the first time in last months friendly win over Estonia in Tallinn. That, of course, was Northern Ireland's first win in 16 games in only the manager's second game in charge.

Joining Hughes on the absentee list is fellow defender George McCartney who has a leg injury, as well as Birmingham's Damien Johnson and Hearts' Andy Kirk.

However, fans will be glad to see Bristol City midfielder Tommy Doherty back in the squad having missed the last three fixtures through injury.

He is likely to be joined in the middle of the park by Sunderland's Jeff Whitley who had a great game in Estonia.

Up front will see James Quinn return to the fold alongside David Healy as Lawrie Sanchez rests Andy Smith ahead of this weekend's Irish Cup Final.

Tonight's game kicks of at 7.45pm.

Likely team: Talyor, Baird, Williams, Craigan, Capaldi, McVeigh, Whitley, Doherty, Gillespie, Healy, Quinn.

(MB)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

10 October 2007
Mental Illness On Local Agenda
As many as in five people here show are showing signs of mental health problems. And as the Health Promotion Agency Northern Ireland launched a campaign to raise awareness of the psychological problems people face here as part of World Mental Health Day, it has emerged that former Celtic captain Neil Lennon been battling depression for years.
10 April 2018
NI's Boxing Captain Sean McComb Involved In Nightclub Incident
Northern Ireland's boxing captain Sean McComb has allegedly been involved in a incident at a nightclub on the Gold Coast. According to reports, the 25-year-old has been banned from areas of the Gold Coast at the Commonwealth Games after he was issued with an infringement notice for causing public nuisance (violence).
09 August 2001
NI sides face up to UEFA Cup test
Thursday evening is a big night for local football as Glenavon and Glentoran represent Northern Ireland in the UEFA Cup. The most interesting tie will take place in Lurgan as Glenavon face Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock.
13 August 2024
Exploring The Most Popular Casino Games
For a very long time casino gaming has been a significant part of Britain's entertainment culture. It can be spotted from the grandiose ballrooms of London to the stay-up casinos of Northern Ireland, that gambling remains a favoured sport in the United Kingdom.
05 September 2011
Emergency Services To Host 2013 Games
Northern Ireland took centre stage in New York today as the official handover took place for Belfast to host the World Police and Fire Games in 2013.