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Meet the squad: Northern Ireland

Michael Neill and Steven Davis - together with the rest of the Northern Ireland squad before they departed for France
Michael Neill and Steven Davis - together with the rest of the Northern Ireland squad before they departed for France

We look at the squad Michael O'Neil has named for Euro 2016 as Northern Ireland gear up for their first appearance at a major tournament in 30 years. 

Goalkeepers

MICHAEL McGOVERN (Hamilton, 12/07/84, caps 11)

Wrestled the number-one jersey away from Roy Carroll in the summer of 2015 and the former Celtic trainee has not looked back since.

ROY CARROLL (Linfield, 30/09/77, caps 44)

Earned his first cap way back in 1997 and started the opening five games in this qualification process only to lose his spot to McGovern when he was ill.

ALAN MANNUS (St Johnstone, 19/05/82, caps 8)

Third-choice stopper was manager O'Neill's goalkeeper at League of Ireland club Shamrock Rovers between 2009 and 2011.

Defenders

CHRIS BAIRD (Derby, 25/02/82, caps 78)

One of a host of vastly experienced defenders Northern Ireland possess, Baird can also fill in in midfield.

CRAIG CATHCART (Watford, 06/02/89, caps 28, goals 2)

Ex-Manchester United academy graduate has experienced a fine season with Watford and is a big reason why boss O'Neill has experimented with a back three.

JONNY EVANS (West Brom, 03/01/88, caps 49, goals 1)

A three-time Premier League champion who is now part of a strong Northern Irish contingent at West Brom. Evans' nous will be invaluable.

LEE HODSON (MK Dons, 02/10/91, caps 16)

A right-back who spent the second half of the season on loan with Kilmarnock and did enough to win the nod ahead of Peterborough's one-cap full-back Smith.

AARON HUGHES (Melbourne City, 08/11/79, caps 100)

Well-respected professional who made a retirement U-turn in 2012 and should bring up a century of international appearances in Slovakia before heading to the Euros.

GARETH McAULEY (West Brom, 05/12/79, caps 61)

A late bloomer who forms part of a strong Northern Irish backbone. Also poses a threat at the other end with his ability in the air.

LUKE McCULLOUGH (Doncaster, 15/02/94, caps 5)

Has been part of two relegation campaigns in three years with Doncaster, but that has not dissuaded O'Neill from including him as defensive cover.

CONOR McLAUGHLIN (Fleetwood, 26/07/91, caps 18)

Despite playing for a Sky Bet League One club, McLaughlin was a regular in the qualifying campaign and is the natural fit as the right wing-back in the 3-5-2 which may be deployed.

Midfielders

PADDY McNAIR (Manchester United, 27/04/95, caps 9)

Has been given opportunities in defence for Manchester United's senior team, though he and O'Neill sees his future in a central-midfield berth, where he starred in a recent friendly with Wales.

STUART DALLAS (Leeds, 19/04/91, caps 13, goals 1)

Finished the season in impressive fashion with Leeds and will almost certainly start on the left flank against Poland in the first group game.

STEVEN DAVIS (Southampton, 01/01/85, caps 83, goals 8)

A consistent performer at the heart of the midfield, the skipper scored a brace in the qualification-clinching victory over Greece in October and has been superb for Southampton of late.

CORRY EVANS (Blackburn, 30/07/90, caps 34, goals 1)

Young brother of defender Jonny Evans who is not shy of doing the dirty work in midfield, which may be required against teams who are expected to have more possession.

SHANE FERGUSON (Millwall, 12/07/91, caps 25, goals 1)

Another left-sided player that gets up and down well and offers an option in a 3-5-2 system. He still has a play-off final at Wembley marked on his calendar.

NIALL McGINN (Aberdeen, 20/07/87, caps 42, goals 2)

It was McGinn's introduction from the bench in the first qualifier against Hungary that set Northern Ireland on the road to France as he scored one and made the other in a come-from-behind victory.

OLIVER NORWOOD (Reading, 12/04/91, caps 34, goals 0)

Under-rated central midfielder who boasts a terrific set-piece delivery. Long-range strikes have become his calling card.

Forwards

WILL GRIGG (Wigan, 03/07/91, caps 8, goals 1)

Scored 25 goals to earn a third straight promotion out of League One. The Wigan chant states he is "on fire" and his form earned him a recall and a spot in the final squad.

KYLE LAFFERTY (Norwich, 16/09/87, caps 51, goals 17)

An end-of-season loan spell with Birmingham helped Lafferty get back up to match fitness. He scored seven goals in qualification and will be key to his country's fortunes.

JOSH MAGENNIS (Kilmarnock, 15/08/90, caps 18, goals 1)

A former goalkeeper that now relies on his power and pace up top. Scored when filling in for Lafferty in the victory over Greece in October.

JAMIE WARD (Nottingham Forest, 12/05/86, caps 22, goals 2)

The energetic Ward can play wide in a three or provide a foil up top for Lafferty. A hamstring injury ended his season in April.

CONOR WASHINGTON (QPR, 18/05/92, caps 4, goals 2)

Showed he belongs on the international scene with a terrific winner against Slovenia in March. The former postman is a raw talent that has yet to find the net since moving to the Championship.