Millwall’s worldwide duo enjoy epic Euro 2016 qualifier wins

Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín has congratulated the Northern Ireland football team on qualifying for the European Championship.

“We’ve gone into games knowing we’re good enough to win but the experience of the likes of Gareth McAuley, Chris Brunt, Steven Davis, Jonny Evans and Roy Carroll as well – they have all drove us on”.

Carl Frampton has posted a pitch-side selfie with Leeds United’s Stuart Dallas, after the winger played a starring role in helping Northern Ireland to qualify for Euro 2016. While it may not be hugely significant, they know a point in that match will seal first place in Group F over Romania.

“But qualifying for a major tournament eclipses all those results, as the team has had to be consistent throughout a whole campaign”.

Davis admitted Northern Ireland were “desperate” to guarantee qualification in front of their own fans in Belfast rather than leaving the moment for Sunday’s match in Finland.

Long however, insists a win is all Martin O’Neill’s men are looking for.

“I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved and it’s the highest point of my career for certain, either as a player or a manager”.

“My contract now automatically runs to the end of the tournament and the IFA board and myself will sit down and work out the best way forward”.

“Against opponents like these, we need to score and try not to make any mistakes”.

“I genuinely believe, fitness and availability willing, we can go there with a real optimism”. “But we did not use them and that’s what you get when you don’t use them”.

Keane, a veteran of the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2012 finals, accepts that the days when his was the first name on the teamsheet are drawing to a close with 142 senior worldwide appearances and 67 goals behind him, but is ready to play whatever part is required of him. “We want to go to France and enjoy the occasion but at the same time we want to give a good account of ourselves”.

“I think we have the best defensive record in this campaign but that doesn’t just come from the defenders, that’s the goalkeepers and the midfield unit”.