Ireland fans salute their heroes one last time after Sunday's last 16 defeat against hosts France.

Ireland fans salute their heroes one last time after Sunday's last 16 defeat against hosts France.

THEY STOOD UP, SAT down, changed tyres and soothed babies for the Boys in Green as they charmed their way through Euro 2016.

Now Ireland’s football fans are to receive a prestigious award from the mayor of Paris for their “exemplary sportsmanship” during the country’s run to the last 16.

Mayor Anne Hidalgo told reporters on Tuesday that she would present the Irish fans with the City of Paris medal, and that she had written to president Michael D Higgins to tell him of the decision.

Further details for the medal ceremony will be announced at a later date.

Hidalgo said Irish supporters deserved the honour for their “exemplary sportsmanship” and the “good atmosphere” they generated as they followed Martin O’Neill’s side through the first round and to an eventual 2-1 defeat to hosts France on Sunday.

O’Neill described them as “a credit to the country” as they won over locals with their passionate support and never-ending craic throughout the tournament.

An estimated 100,000 travelling fans made headlines at home and across Europe as they generated a party atmosphere full of endearing moments, including videos of one group who stopped to help an elderly couple change a tyre and others who sang a lullaby to a baby on a train.

With reporting from © AFP 2016

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