Michael O'Neill has been appointed manager of Northern Ireland on a two-year contract starting in February, the Irish FA have confirmed.

O'Neill: New Northern Ireland manager

O'Neill, who earned 33 caps for his country as a player, edged out two other former internationals in Jim Magilton and Iain Dowie for the job and will start work with the Irish Football Association on February 1.

The 42-year-old resigned his post at Shamrock Rovers earlier this month after making them the first League of Ireland side to qualify for the group stages of a major European competition.

O'Neill's predecessor Nigel Worthington announced his resignation on the eve of the final Euro 2012 qualifier against Italy in October, ending a disappointing campaign that saw the side finish fifth in the standings.

The IFA - led by president Jim Shaw and chief executive Patrick Nelson - duly set about seeking a replacement, eventually narrowing the field to O'Neill, Magilton and Dowie despite reported interest from a host of names including Gerry Armstrong, Avram Grant, Dave Jones and Brian Kerr.

O'Neill, whose other managerial job was at Brechin City, said, "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.

"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."