WHILE Northern Ireland may have lost 1-0 to Germany in Paris last night, another outstanding display of courage and commitment still brought the side through to qualification for the last 16 of Euro 2016.
It was an amazing achievement for a squad which had been widely expected to finish bottom of its group but has found itself at the heart of one of the most enthralling stories of the tournament.
The Republic of Ireland will somehow have to manage an unlikely victory against Italy tonight in order to progress as well, but will not go into the crunch match without at least a degree of hope.
Whatever happens next, not just the two Irish teams but also their marvellous supporters have made a notable contribution to the entire competition.
