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Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland set for Belfast reception

Despite a minor protest against the proposal, Belfast City Council have voted to invite both Irish teams to a civic reception in recognition of their achievement.

THE NORTHERN IRELAND and Republic of Ireland football teams are set to be invited to a civic reception in Belfast after Belfast City Council voted in favour of the proposal.

Following the achievement of the two Irish teams in qualifying for Euro 2016 in France, Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) councillor Declan Boyle proposed the invitation in order to congratulate the teams and their managers, who both hail from Northern Ireland.

Prior to the vote taking place, one politician, Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) leader Billy Hutchinson, warned that such an event could potentially lead to protests and, according to the Belfast Telegraph, five people attended a protest on Tuesday.

Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland team already attended an event at Belfast City Hall in the wake of securing qualification for the tournament in France.

Dublin City Council, meanwhile, also voted in favour of hosting a similar event with the two teams.

Northern Ireland have been drawn in Group C, along with Poland, Ukraine and world champions Germany, while the Republic of Ireland will face Belgium, Italy and Sweden in Group E.

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