'˜Freedom' honour for NI team agreed

2016 UEFA European Championship Group C, Stade de Lyon, France 13/6/2016
Ukraine vs Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland's Niall McGinn celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates. Mandatory Credit Â©INPHO/Presseye/William Cherry — 2016 UEFA European Championship Group C, Stade de Lyon, France 13/6/2016 Ukraine vs Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland's Niall McGinn celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates. Mandatory Credit Â©INPHO/Presseye/William Cherry

A Notice of Motion was be put before the local government authority at their monthly meeting in The Braid, Ballymena on Monday evening.

Proposed by Alderman Stewart McDonald and seconded by Alderman Gregg McKeen, the notice read: “This Council recognises the achievements of the 2016 Northern Ireland football team in the European championships in France this summer.

“With the manager Michael O’Neill, captain Stephen Davis, and many of the squad having connections to Mid and East Antrim borough, it is the council’s wish to bestow the Freedom of the Borough on the 2016 team.”

Ald McDonald also proposed that a “skills training session”, featuring members of the squad and geared towards young people, might form part of the process.

This could be based at Ballymena Showgrounds or a similar venue, he added.

The proposal was given unanimous support from all members present at the meeting.