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Former Shamrock Rovers boss Michael O'Neill has received the ultimate reward for historically taking the League of Ireland side to the Europa Leage this season - the vacant managerial role for Northern Ireland.

O'Neill edged out rivals Iain Dowie and Jim Magilton for the role and will begin appointment on February 1. The former Northern Ireland international announced that he was leave Rovers after the side became the first ever League of Ireland side to qualify for the Europa League group stages.

"I am honoured to be chosen to manage my country. I am a proud Northern Irishman who was fortunate enough to win 33 senior caps and it was always an ambition to manage my country," said a delighted O'Neill today.

To be entrusted with the role early in my managerial career is quite humbling but I am confident that we can make progress. Northern Ireland has a strong football tradition but one that needs to be refreshed with some more contemporary success.

"That is my primary objective - to restore a sense of belief and pride in what it means to represent Northern Ireland so that our players will want only to play for their country. That is how it should be. There is a huge amount of work to be done but with the right direction and the necessary passion good progress can be made.

"The board and the CEO have a clear plan for the future and have given me responsibility to set about the task of renewal within the context of a long-term plan. At the same time, in the interests of everyone involved, most particularly our supporters my job is to work with the players to sustain a competitive performance throughout the qualifying phase of the 2014 World Cup Finals.