Emotional night in Lyon for NI history makers
By Alex Keery in FRANCE
Here we go, here we go, here we go …
Northern Ireland made history last night in Lyon after scooping their first ever three points at the Euro finals.
They beat Ukraine 2-0 to give themselves a decent chance of progression to the next stage.
Michael O’Neill had to make changes after the opening defeat to Poland.
And he was fearless, dropping talisman Kyle Lafferty among four others.
And it paid off, with Jamie Ward and Conor Washington working tirelessly.
Into the second half and Northern Ireland’s pressure began to tell.
Olly Norwood lined up a free kick – and despite 20,000 chanting his name, the Ukrainian defence somehow didn’t see Gareth McAuley peeling around at the back post to head home Northern Ireland’s first-ever goal at the Euros.
A short time later, the ref hauled all the players off the pitch because of the weather. Just a bit of hail, nothing these fans and players have not seen 100 times before at Windsor Park.
The assistant ref added six minutes at the end, leaving the Green and White Army sweating and begging for the whistle.
But as the Ukrainians piled men forward watching their tournament slip away, Northern Ireland countered and Niall McGinn made it two.
The dream is still alive …
Northern Ireland will face Germany in Paris on Tuesday in the last of the Group stages game - with a massive spring in their step.
Pictured (PA): Niall McGinn spins away in front of the GAWA after securing win in Lyon against Ukraine