The sides representing Northern Ireland and the Republic may have eliminated from Euro 2016 over the weekend but both emerged from the tournament with their reputations hugely enhanced.
Each team suffered from cruel twists of fate, with Northern Ireland falling victim to an own goal and the Republic conceding a decisive score seconds after they were denied a corner by an astonishing refereeing error at the other end of the pitch.
The two sets of supporters also made a wonderful impression through their good humour and enthusiasm at all stages of the competition and can anticipate the qualification process for the next World Cup with renewed and justifiable optimism.
