The Impartial Reporter’s award winning photographer John McVitty will be one of only four Northern Ireland snappers pitch side in Nice on Sunday when Michael O’Neill’s side kick off their historic Euro 2016 campaign. 
Receiving accreditation was no easy job for John as he explains. 
“You had to show that you were shooting European and International games to qualify for accreditation for the finals which I have been for the last number of years and that stood to me. I am looking forward to it, it is great that Northern Ireland has qualified and wonderful that three Fermanagh men will be a part of their bid. It is good times for the fans, Northern Ireland and Fermanagh.”
For John, working at the finals will no doubt be a professional high but for the self confessed Northern Ireland fan it is also about much more given that he has photographed Kyle, Roy and Michael throughout their careers and as they have risen through the ranks. 
John revealed: “Over the years I have shot all the boys, I suppose Roy made the big impact with signing for Man United, then going on to Northern Ireland. Then it was snapping the likes of Kieran McKenna, Michael McGovern, Kyle Lafferty and Andy Little coming through the Milk Cup and playing for Northern Ireland at different levels. It has now culminated in three of the boys making the squad for European Championship finals which is absolutely brilliant.” 
He added that the boys have also made his job easier by being more than helpful and friendly. 
“All the boys are great, at a recent friendly game I just nodded to Michael McGovern at the start of the warm up and he came over and we shook  hands, the boys hopefully appreciate the coverage and we certainly appreciate their help. It is an historic achievement and I am delighted to be going over to work at it.” 
John admits that once the camera strap goes over the neck he will be in work mode and all the Fermanagh players and the local fans that make the trip will be in his eyeline. 
“I am a Northern Ireland fan and have been going for the last 15-20 years but on game day, I will have my work to do to try to get the best images of the day. There is a big crowd going over from Fermanagh and I know a lot of the fans from Windsor, so hopefully it will go well and we will have a few goals to cheer. Once the cameras go around the neck, that’s me. I will be on autopilot, nobody will be safe in the ground! I will be trying to snap every single person I see locally and try to capture the whole atmosphere of what is going on and let’s hope that the Fermanagh boys do really well,” concluded John.
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