A Stormont reception is to be held to honour the Northern Ireland football squad for its performances in the European Championship qualifying campaign, it was confirmed today.
Sports minister Edwin Poots revealed the plan after he was urged to host a reception in honour of Fulham striker David Healy's record-breaking achievement of 13 goals during the group stages.
The Democratic Unionist minister told party colleague Jim Shannon in the Assembly: ‘First of all I would like to place on record my own congratulations to David Healy on what is a magnificent achievement.
‘To become the highest goalscorer in the European Championship qualifying campaign is a remarkable feat by any standards.
‘I have already written to David offering my congratulations and I can confirm it is my intention to host a reception for David and his fellow team members as soon as it can be arranged.
‘We are in discussions with the Irish Football Association about the details of the arrangements.’
Northern Ireland's footballers came agonisingly close last month to qualifying for their first major international soccer tournament since the 1986 Mexico World Cup.
Despite David Healy breaking Croatian Davor Suker's 11-year record for the number of goals scored during a qualifying campaign, Nigel Worthington's team were unable to qualify - losing 1-0 in their final group game against Spain.
However, during the campaign they celebrated victories over Spain, Sweden and Denmark at Windsor Park.
