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Northern Ireland train in France for first time ahead of Euro 2016

Northern Ireland trained in France for the first time ahead of their first Euro 2016 game against Poland
Image: Northern Ireland preparing for their Euro 2016 opener against Poland

Northern Ireland's players got stuck into training at their Euro 2016 training base for the first time on Monday ahead of their first match against Poland.

Michael O'Neill's squad are based north of Lyon in Saint-Georges-de-Reneins, where the facility is bedecked in images depicting a qualifying campaign which culminated in reaching the country's first finals for 30 years.

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The team arrived in France on Sunday and those players who featured in a goalless draw against Slovakia on Saturday night were put through their paces.

Craig Cathcart and Kyle Lafferty, who both came off on Saturday with knocks, were involved in rehabilitation work.

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Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill says his squad are enjoying their preparations

Asked about the team's minnows tag, midfielder Oliver Norwood said: "Let them keep thinking we're the underdogs.

"We've proven we belong in the tournament - we won our group. If people want to see us like that then that's up to them. We're excited to be here, looking forward to the tournament and can't wait to get going on Sunday."

Northern Ireland at their training base in Saint-Georges-de-Reneins
Image: Northern Ireland at their training base in Saint-Georges-de-Reneins

None of the other 24 teams boast an unbeaten streak as long as Northern Ireland's 12-game sequence, though Spain can equal it prior to the tournament should they avoid defeat to Georgia on Tuesday.

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Scenes from their record-breaking run adorn the walls at the training base and Baird and Norwood conducted their press duties alongside some of the country's most iconic images, including the Titanic Belfast museum and Giant's Causeway.

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We bring you the latest from Northern Ireland's training camp in France as they prepare for Euro 2016.

Chris Baird said: "Everywhere we go, it's all you can see - all the players - and it's still sinking in that we're finally here.

"We've done this as a team and it's nice to see it spread about everywhere, whether it's the game room, whether it's in the bedrooms, it's just everywhere. It's nice to see it all around us."

Chris Baird (L) and midfielder Oliver Norwood (R) spoke to the press on Monday
Image: Chris Baird (left) and Oliver Norwood spoke to the press on Monday

For Norwood, an England youth international who then declared himself available for Northern Ireland, the fact he is on the verge of a major international tournament with O'Neill's side was something he did not envisage.

"Chris [Baird] has had harder times than me, played a lot more games," he said. "Losing to Luxembourg, Azerbaijan - they were real low points. We addressed that and look where we are today.

"It's a testament to the players and the staff the amount of work that's gone on behind the scenes why we are set here today and looking forward to our first appearance in 30 years."

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Rory McIlroy sends the Northern Ireland team a special message ahead of Euro 2016

Leeds winger Stuart Dallas was out with the group on Monday having re-joined the squad on Sunday after missing the goalless draw in Slovakia following his marriage back in Cookstown.

It was also confirmed that youngsters Joel Cooper and Paul Smyth, both of whom play their club football in Northern Ireland, would join up with O'Neill's squad later on Monday to supplement the senior group during training sessions.

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