Reception at Stormont for NI team

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A reception is to be held at Stormont for the Northern Ireland football team, Sports Minister Edwin Poots has said.

It is in recognition of the players' performances in the European Championship qualifying campaign.

During ministerial question time Mr Poots praised striker David Healy, who scored a record 13 goals in the qualifiers.

He said the reception for the team would take place "as soon as it can be arranged".

"To become the highest goalscorer in the European Championship qualifying campaign is a remarkable feat by any standards," Mr Poots said.

"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 narrowly missed out on qualification, finishing third in their seven-team group and recording victories over Spain, Sweden and Denmark.

Meanwhile, Mr Poots said he has written to football governing body Fifa in support of the IFA's appeal for a bar on players from Northern Ireland playing for the Republic.

"It would be a sad day for the people and population of Northern Ireland were we to go down the particular road where for example Protestants and unionists were to play for Northern Ireland and Catholics and nationalists were to play for the Republic of Ireland," he said.

The issue is to be debated in the assembly on Tuesday.