NI legend Jimmy McIlroy dies aged 86

Northern Ireland legend Jimmy McIlroy has died aged 86.

The Lambeg-born forward was part of the Northern Ireland squad that reached the quarter-finals of the 1958 World Cup.

McIlroy won 55 caps and scored 10 goals during his international career.

His death was announced on Monday morning in a statement by his former club Burnley, who hailed him as their “greatest ever player”.

A key figure with the Clarets, McIlroy helped the Lancashire side win the 1960 first division title and reach the quarter finals of the European Cup the following season.

The statement went on: "The club is deeply saddened to learn of the death of our greatest ever player. A giant of a man.

"The thoughts of everyone connected with the club are with his family and friends at this sad time. Rest in peace, Jimmy."

McIlroy made 497 appearances for Burnley and scored 131 goals during a 13-year stay at Turf Moor.

He joined the club from Glentoran in 1950 and became a mainstay of the side which secured top-seven finishes every season between 1956 and 1963.

They claimed the title at the end of the 1959-60 campaign by a point from Wolves, qualifying for Europe in the process, only to fall at the last eight after a 4-1 second leg defeat in Hamburg.

One of the stands at Turf Moor is named in his honour and he was given the freedom of the town in 2008.

McIlroy later played for Stoke before finishing his playing days at Oldham, where he later served as manager.

A skilful inside forward, he won 55 caps for his country and helped them reach the quarter-finals at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.

Such was his talent that McIlroy had offers to play abroad, but decided to stay in England and kept his home in Burnley until his death.

McIlroy was awarded an MBE in the 2011 New Year's Honours for his services to football and charity, and has been inducted into both the Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association and England's National Football Museum's halls of fame.