Euro 2016: Fans hoping luck of the Irish is on their side this weekend

Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland football fans are hoping the luck of the Irish is on their side this weekend, praying their heroes will qualify for the Euro 2016 quarter finals.
What a night! Chris McCann celebrates after seeing Ireland beat Italy 1-0 in Lille.What a night! Chris McCann celebrates after seeing Ireland beat Italy 1-0 in Lille.
What a night! Chris McCann celebrates after seeing Ireland beat Italy 1-0 in Lille.

Among them is Limavady man Chris McCann who has been in France since the start of the week.

After watching Ireland crushed by Belgium in Bordeaux, Chris said the game last night is something he’ll be talking about for years to come.

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“The atmosphere was absolutely mental,” said Chris, when Robbie Brady scored.

“When the ball went in there was almost this sense of disbelief, and then the place just erupted.

“The sound was amazing all night, but when the final whistle went it was unreal. I have been to some really big sporting events - a Champions League final, GAA finals and The Tour de France - but this was on a different level.

“I know it’s a cliché, but when you were in the stadium and you heard the national anthem, you could feel every hair stand up on your body. It was awesome and I know in 30 years I’ll still be talking about the night in Lille when Robbie Brady scored against Italy.”

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Fellow Limavady man, Alan Robinson is in France and frantically trying to get his hands on three tickets for himself, wife Tracy and daughter, Sienna for the Northern Ireland game against Wales on Saturday.

Alan and Tracy  Robinson from Limavady and their two and half years old daughter, Sienna in Paris when they found out Northern Ireland were through to the last 16 in Euro 2016.Alan and Tracy  Robinson from Limavady and their two and half years old daughter, Sienna in Paris when they found out Northern Ireland were through to the last 16 in Euro 2016.
Alan and Tracy Robinson from Limavady and their two and half years old daughter, Sienna in Paris when they found out Northern Ireland were through to the last 16 in Euro 2016.

Alan, a DUP councillor, said while the result against Germany wasn’t what fans wanted, there was no shame in losing 1-0 to the world champions.

People said I was mad when I said Northern Ireland would qualify for Euro 2016, and I’m saying now they’ll qualify for the quarter finals,” said Alan. who said the atmosphere among fans has been brilliant.

“I’m confident they’ll do it. The only problem is I have to get back to work on Monday!”