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A Big Achievement For Squad And Country

A Big Achievement For Squad And Country

All the world, bar the victim, loves a good sporting giantkilling.

And few achievements have been as improbable as Northern Ireland’s in reaching next summer's European Championship finals in France.

Seeded fifth in a qualifying group of five, ranked 129 in the world two years ago, their success is a triumph for teamwork, momentum, belief and perseverance.

Manager Michael O'Neill, recruited from Shamrock Rovers in 2011, won one of his first 18 matches.

Recognising the paucity of his playing resources and the possible futility of a change, his bosses stuck with him.

The rewards they now reap will be measured in the grassroots boost to football in the province, financial gains for beneficiaries ranging from the players themselves to travel companies ferrying fans to France, and the sheer feelgood factor.

"It's a huge achievement for the squad, and for the country," said captain Steven Davis, who scored two of the three goals that beat Greece to seal qualification on a euphoric night in Belfast.

He praised O’Neill’s "preparation and attention to detail".

The fact that the other scorer, Josh Magennis, plays for struggling Scottish Premiership team Kilmarnock, and was a goalkeeper only six years ago, tells you a lot about the achievement of O'Neill and his team.

Just four of the Belfast starting 11 play regularly in the English Premier League, but this team have stayed strong, stayed together, and built on their flying start to this qualifying campaign (they won their first three matches).

Magennis wasn't born when his country last reached a major tournament finals, the World Cup in 1986.

Northern Ireland was a very different place then.

As if to underline the point, with the Republic of Ireland simultaneously beating World Champions Germany, Sinn Fein deputy first minister Martin McGuinness tweeted: "Incredible night for Irish football, congrats Martin and Michael O'Neill (managers) & both teams."

It is only football, after all.

But it means a lot.