Religion is a major factor in determining sporting affiliations in Northern Ireland, according to a new survey by the North's Sports Council. The poll shows that less than one in five Catholics would support Northern Ireland in the soccer World Cup while just over half of Protestants would support Ireland in the rugby World Cup.

The Sports Council survey also found that the English Premiership football was the only area where sport significantly crossed the sectarian divide. Almost four out of five respondents - both Catholic and Protestant - were at least united in their support for either Manchester United or Liverpool.

Over 1,000 people were asked: when watching the following events which country would you support?

Only 19 per cent of Catholics said they would support Northern Ireland in the soccer World Cup while 30 per cent said they would support the Republic. Almost four out of 10 Protestants would support Northern Ireland while only eight per cent would support the Republic. A Sports Council spokesman said that others polled expressed a general indifference about supporting either the Republic or Northern Ireland.

While rugby is viewed as being a predominantly Protestant sport in Northern Ireland, it operates within an all-Ireland structure. However, only 54 per cent of Protestants polled said they would support Ireland in the rugby World Cup, compared to 65 per cent of Catholics. Fifteen per cent of Protestants said they would support England with an 15 per cent supporting Scotland.

Half of the Catholics polled said they would support Ireland in the Olympics compared to less than one of six of Protestants. Almost four out of 10 Protestants would support the British team in the Olympics. Only 15 per cent of Catholics would back Britain.