Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 - Photo by William Cherry Northern Ireland team arrive home after a successful Euro 2016 tournament in France, Belfast International Airport. Gareth McAuley and Craig Cathcart

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 - Photo by William Cherry Northern Ireland team arrive home after a successful Euro 2016 tournament in France, Belfast International Airport. Corry Evans and Jonny Evans

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 - Photo by William Cherry Northern Ireland team arrive home after a successful Euro 2016 tournament in France, Belfast International Airport. Stuart Dallas, Captain Steven Davis and Jimmy Nicholl Assistant Manager

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 - Photo by William Cherry Northern Ireland team arrive home after a successful Euro 2016 tournament in France, Belfast International Airport. Corry Evans and Jonny Evans

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 - Photo by William Cherry Northern Ireland team arrive home after a successful Euro 2016 tournament in France, Belfast International Airport. Gareth McAuley and Craig Cathcart

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 - Photo by William Cherry Northern Ireland team arrive home after a successful Euro 2016 tournament in France, Belfast International Airport. Stuart Dallas, Captain Steven Davis and Jimmy Nicholl Assistant Manager

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 - Photo by Matt Mackey Northern Ireland team arrive home after a successful Euro 2016 tournament in France, Culloden Hotel Will Grigg

Northern Ireland fans Mellissa Telford and Matthew Wright at the Titanic Fanzone stage ahead the Northern Ireland team homecoming to Belfast from the 2016 Euro Championship in France. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday June 27, 2016. See PA story SOCCER N Ireland. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Northern Ireland fans Nicola Clyde with her daughter Joni and son Matthew at the Titanic Fanzone stage ahead the Northern Ireland team homecoming to Belfast from the 2016 Euro Championship in France. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday June 27, 2016. See PA story SOCCER N Ireland. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Northern Ireland fans Angela Barnes (left) with her sister Georgie at the Titanic Fanzone stage ahead the Northern Ireland team homecoming to Belfast from the 2016 Euro Championship in France. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday June 27, 2016. See PA story SOCCER N Ireland. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Northern Ireland fans at the Titanic Fanzone stage ahead the Northern Ireland team homecoming to Belfast from the 2016 Euro Championship in France. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday June 27, 2016. See PA story SOCCER N Ireland. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Northern Ireland fan Brian White at the Titanic Fanzone stage ahead the Northern Ireland team homecoming to Belfast from the 2016 Euro Championship in France. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday June 27, 2016. See PA story SOCCER N Ireland. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Northern Ireland fans at the Titanic Fanzone stage ahead the Northern Ireland team homecoming to Belfast from the 2016 Euro Championship in France. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday June 27, 2016. See PA story SOCCER N Ireland. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Northern Ireland fans Ethan Bothwell, Mackenzie Alexander, Granny Julie McCrory, Brooke Bothwell, Darla McCrory at the Titanic Fanzone stage ahead the Northern Ireland team homecoming to Belfast from the 2016 Euro Championship in France. Pic Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Northern Ireland football team Homecoming Event Football fans pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will are on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Northern Ireland football team Homecoming Event Football fans pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will are on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Northern Ireland football team Homecoming Event Football fans pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will are on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Northern Ireland football team Homecoming Event Football fans pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will are on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Northern Ireland football team Homecoming Event Football fans pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will are on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Football fans pictured at the homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will are on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Northern Ireland football team Homecoming Event Football fans pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will are on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Northern Ireland football team Homecoming Event Football fans pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will are on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Northern Ireland football team Homecoming Event Football fans pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will are on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Northern Ireland football team Homecoming Event Football fans pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will are on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Northern Ireland football team Homecoming Event Football fans pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will are on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Northern Ireland football team Homecoming Event Football fans pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will are on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Northern Ireland football team Homecoming Event Football fans pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will are on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Northern Ireland football team Homecoming Event Football fans pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will are on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Members of the 1st Finaghy Northern Ireland Supporters Club carrying the clubs bass drum at the Titanic Fanzone stage ahead the Northern Ireland team homecoming to Belfast from the 2016 Euro Championship in France. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday June 27, 2016. See PA story SOCCER N Ireland. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Northern Ireland fans at the Titanic Fanzone stage ahead the Northern Ireland team homecoming to Belfast from the 2016 Euro Championship in France. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday June 27, 2016. See PA story SOCCER N Ireland. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Northern Ireland fans at the Titanic Fanzone stage ahead the Northern Ireland team homecoming to Belfast from the 2016 Euro Championship in France. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday June 27, 2016. See PA story SOCCER N Ireland. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Football fans pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will are on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Picture - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Belfast, UK - February 27 2016. Michael O'neill is tossed in the air as the Northern Ireland team arrive home to the Titanic Slipways in Belfast where a crowd of up to 10,000 people welcomed the team at the fanzone. ( Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Picture - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Belfast, UK - February 27 2016. Michael O'neill is tossed in the air as the Northern Ireland team arrive home to the Titanic Slipways in Belfast where a crowd of up to 10,000 people welcomed the team at the fanzone. ( Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Picture - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Belfast, UK - February 27 2016. Michael O'neill is tossed in the air as the Northern Ireland team arrive home to the Titanic Slipways in Belfast where a crowd of up to 10,000 people welcomed the team at the fanzone. ( Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Press Eye - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Michael O'Neill pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will be on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France. Photographer - ©Matt Mackey / Press Eye

Press Eye - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Michael O'Neill pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will be on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France. Photographer - ©Matt Mackey / Press Eye

Press Eye - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Michael O'Neill pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will be on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France. Photographer - ©Matt Mackey / Press Eye

Press Eye - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Michael O'Neill pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will be on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France. Photographer - ©Matt Mackey / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 - Nortehrn Ireland fans and players pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will be on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France . Photo by Stephen Hamilton/ Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Northern Ireland football team Homecoming Event Football fans pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will are on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Northern Ireland football team Homecoming Event Football fans pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will are on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Northern Ireland football team Homecoming Event Football fans pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will are on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Northern Ireland football team Homecoming Event Football fans pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will are on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Northern Ireland football Manager Michael O'Neill pictured at the Fan Zone. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 - Nortehrn Ireland fans and players pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will be on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France . Photo by Stephen Hamilton/ Press Eye

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 - Nortehrn Ireland fans and players pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will be on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France . Photo by Stephen Hamilton/ Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 - Nortehrn Ireland fans and players pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will be on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France . Photo by Stephen Hamilton/ Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Northern Ireland football team Homecoming Event First Minister Arlene Foster and Communities Minister Paul Givan pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team willÊare on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in FranceÊ Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Northern Ireland football Manager Michael O'Neill pictured at the Fan Zone. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 - Nortehrn Ireland fans and players pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will be on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France . Photo by Stephen Hamilton/ Press Eye

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Northern Ireland football Manager Michael O'Neill pictured at the Fan Zone. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Northern Ireland football team Homecoming Event Football fans pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will are on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Northern Ireland football team Homecoming Event Football fans pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will are on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 - Nortehrn Ireland fans and players pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will be on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France . Photo by Stephen Hamilton/ Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Northern Ireland football team Homecoming Event Football fans pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will are on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Northern Ireland football Manager Michael O'Neill pictured at the Fan Zone. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 - Nortehrn Ireland fans and players pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will be on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France . Photo by Stephen Hamilton/ Press Eye

Press Eye - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will be on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France. Photographer - ©Matt Mackey / Press Eye

Press Eye - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Football fans pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will be on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France. Photographer - ©Matt Mackey / Press Eye

Press Eye - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Football fans pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will be on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France. Photographer - ©Matt Mackey / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 - Nortehrn Ireland fans and players pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will be on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France . Photo by Stephen Hamilton/ Press Eye

Pacemaker Press Belfast 27-06-2016: Euro 2016: Northern Ireland's football team come home to heroes' welcome. Thousands of Northern Ireland supporters pictured at the Fanzone in Titanic Belfast. The homecoming event is being hosted by the Department of Communities, Irish FA, Belsonic and Belfast City Council. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 - Nortehrn Ireland fans and players pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will be on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France . Photo by Stephen Hamilton/ Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2016 Northern Ireland football team Homecoming Event First Minister Arlene Foster and Communities Minister Paul Givan pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team willÊare on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in FranceÊ Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will be on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France. Photographer - ©Matt Mackey / Press Eye

Northern Ireland fans and players pictured at the Homecoming event for the Northern Ireland football team at the Fan Zone in Titanic Quarter where the team will be on stage to share their experiences of Euro2016 in France Photo by Stephen Hamilton/ Press Eye

Unionist councillors in Belfast refused to back a proposal to write letters of congratulations to the Northern Irish and Republic of Ireland football teams on their performance at Euro 2016 - because England wasn’t included.

It's the second row to kick-off at council over celebrating the achievements of the Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland football teams.

In January a motion calling for the proposed joint reception for the teams was met with a heated debate and was eventually passed with unionists voting against it.

However on Monday night a debate was held on a motion put forward by Alliance councillor Emmet McDonough-Brown that they write to both the IFA and FAI to “express its admiration on behalf of all the citizens of Belfast”.

He explained: “Fans from across Ireland, supporting both teams, made a tremendous contribution to the Euros. So much so, in fact, that the Mayor of Paris praised them. This motion recognises the brilliant achievements of the teams and the contribution sport can make in uniting our community.”

But the UUP and DUP refused to back it unless England and Wales were also included - that element was not passed.

Alliance councillor Michael Long branded the UUP's Jim Rodgers 'foolish' for wanting to congratulate England also.

Speaking on the BBC Stephen Nolan Show UUP councillor Jim Rodgers said: "We put forward an amendment recognising the achievement of Northern Ireland, England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland because they all reached the last 16 of the competition."

Councillor Long said to congratulate England would make the FA think they were mocking them.

He said: "The reality is most people in Belfast would celebrate Northern Ireland or Republic of Ireland teams - we didn't want to get into another row about this.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Republic of Ireland fans gallery: Supporters in the stands during the UEFA Euro 2016, Group E match at the Stade de France, Paris. File photo by John Walton/PA PA Republic of Ireland fans in the stands during the UEFA Euro 2016, Group E match at the Stade de France, Paris. File photo by Mike Egerton/PA Wire. PA A Republic of Ireland supporter before the UEFA Euro 2016, Group E match at the Stade de France, Paris. File Photo John Walton/PA Wire. PA Republic of Ireland president Michael D. Higgins (right) in the stands during the UEFA Euro 2016, Group E match at the Stade de France, Paris. Mike Egerton/PA Wire. PA Sweden and Republic of Ireland fans in the stands show their support during the UEFA Euro 2016, Group E match at the Stade de France, Paris. Chris Radburn/PA Wire. PA A Republic of Ireland fan in the stands holds up a flag during the UEFA Euro 2016, Group E match at the Stade de France, Paris. Chris Radburn/PA Wire. PA Republic of Ireland supporters in the stands during the UEFA Euro 2016, Group E match at the Stade de France, Paris. Chris Radburn/PA Wire. PA A Republic of Ireland fan in the stands during the UEFA Euro 2016, Group E match at the Stade de France, Paris. Mike Egerton/PA Wire. PA Republic of Ireland fans watch their team in at The Hangar in Dublin city centre during the UEFA Euro 2016, Group D match at the Stade de France, Paris. Brian Lawless/PA Wire. PA A Republic of Ireland supporter before the UEFA Euro 2016, Group E match at the Stade de France, Paris. John Walton/PA Wire. PA A Republic of Ireland fan in the stands during the UEFA Euro 2016, Group E match at the Stade de France, Paris. Mike Egerton/PA Wire. PA A Republic of Ireland supporter before the UEFA Euro 2016, Group E match at the Stade de France, Paris. John Walton/PA Wire. PA A Republic of Ireland supporter with a flag with assistant manager Roy Keane before the UEFA Euro 2016, Group E match at the Stade de France, Paris. John Walton/PA Wire. PA / Facebook

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"We thought a simple straight forward motion would be something nobody could possibly object to.

He added: "My brother-in-law is English, he said can you imagine the English Football Association, their manager has resigned, the team got hammered, commentators think they are a disgrace, the team arrived home in the middle of the night.

"Can you imagine a letter arriving into the FA from Belfast City Council saying congratulations on your football team? They would think we were having a joke at their expense."

The motion for a joint reception is still on the books, however it is unlikely to happen anytime soon because all the players are currently on holiday and will shortly be returning to their clubs ahead of the new season.

Belfast Telegraph