George O'Boyle

George O'Boyle (born 14 December 1967) is a Northern Irish former professional footballer and now manager.

Playing career Club football O'Boyle, a striker, began his career in 1984 as a youth-team player with Manchester City. He was part of the Maine Road club's youth academy before earning a two-year contract.

After being released by City when he reached the age of 18, he returned to his native Belfast, finding a home on the Shankill Road,

He moved to Linfield in 1986. initially on loan for a year, before signing permanently for £250,000. The SPL attempted to overturn the sacking but it was over-ruled by the SFA.

After leaving St Johnstone, O'Boyle joined Raith Rovers for four months, before moving on to Brechin City and Queen of the South, with whom he finished his professional career. and Ards, only to return to Scotland in 2004 to play for junior clubs Bo'ness and Kelty Hearts. He failed to make an appearance for the latter club, due to injury.

International football O'Boyle's international career spanned four years. In 1996, he scored his only Northern Ireland goal in a 1–1 draw with Germany in his hometown of Belfast.

Honours Distillery County Antrim Shield: 1986

Linfield NIFL Premier Intermediate League: 1986–87, 1988–89 Gold Cup: 1988–89 Irish League Cup: 1986–87

Dunfermline Athletic Scottish Football League First Division: 1988–89

St Johnstone Scottish Football League First Division: 1996–97

Coaching career O'Boyle managed Carnoustie Panmure, the final club for which he played. In the summer of 2016 O'Boyle followed McIlwaine to Lisburn Distillery, again taking up the role of assistant. The duo resigned in April 2019.

O'Boyle and McIlwaine became the new joint-managers of NIFL Championship side Harland & Wolff Welders just a couple of days after departing Distillery. They both left the club in December, seven months after their appointments.