Northern Ireland national under-23 football team
The Northern Ireland national under-23 football team is an association football team representing Northern Ireland featuring footballers playing in the Irish League. The team first played at this level in 2007 when entering the International Challenge Trophy for national semi-professional Under-23 sides, though previously the Northern Ireland Under-23 team offered a recognised stepping stone for all young players hoping to progress to the full Northern Ireland side. The Original Under-23s. The original Northern Ireland Under-23 side played a total of ten matches, all but three in the 1960s. Players to have stepped up  from the Under-23 side to full international level include Pat Jennings, Bryan Hamilton, Neil Lennon and Sammy Clingan. The New Under-23s. The Irish FA announced on 2 October 2007 that they would be entering a side in the International Challenge Trophy. The team was selected only from players playing in the IFA Premiership and as such it is also a successor to the Irish League representative team. For the 2007–09 International Challenge Trophy the team was managed by Linfield's David Jeffrey and for the 2009-11 International Challenge Trophy by Portadown's Ronnie McFall. On both occasions Northern Ireland  failed to make it beyond the group stage, and have not entered a team since. Squad. "Squad for the match against Portugal, 12 October 2010. Clubs correct at time of call-up."