Players and high profile fans ecstatic

Northern Ireland's players, politicians and celebrity fans could hardly contain their delight last night when the men in green made history by beating Ukraine in Lyon.

One of the first of the on-pitch heroes to tweet about his team’s exploits was defender Conor McLaughlin.

The Fleetwood Town right back said: “The lads and fans were unbelievable today! Proved a few people wrong already. Absolute scenes.”

Goalkeeper Michael McGovern - who took many of the plaudits for his clean sheet - added: “What a game..What a feeling..An unforgettable night”.

Striker Kyle Lafferty said: “We aren’t afraid of anyone when we play for that shirt. Disappointed I didn’t feature but as a N.Ireland fan I am absolutely buzzing and couldn’t be happier for the whole team.”

Boxer Carl Frampton tweeted that he was “the proudest man in London.”

The Tiger’s Bay fighter also teased his fellow professional boxer, Ukrainian heavyweight Wladimir Klitschko, by tweeting: “Did you watch the match big lad?”

TV presenter Eamonn Holmes was another celeb bursting with pride.

Immediately after the 2-0 victory he tweeted: “You couldn’t make it up!!! Amazing. So proud of #ourweecountry.”

First Minister Arlene Foster said she was “so so so so proud”.

UUP MLA Danny Kennedy spoke to the News Letter from the stadium, he said: “This is almighty result for ‘our wee country’. The atmosphere here is unbelievable with the joyous 18,000 NI fans reluctant to leave the stadium.

“Everyone is ecstatic. The players are to be congratulated on their sterling performance - it ranks with the best in past Northern Ireland glories down the years.”