Northern Ireland may have lost their opening game in the European Championships but the result has not detracted from the fans’ experience nor lessened their support of the men in green. 
Craig Phair is in France with the Riverside Bar, Green and White Army and he reveals that the feeling in the stadium was electric as the Northern Ireland fans enjoyed their first ever taste of the European Championship finals. 
“The atmosphere in the stadium was euphoric,” enthused Craig. 
“It was a complete sea of green and raised the hairs on the back of our necks, it was just electric. I would say it was up there with the feelings we had when we defeated England and Spain 10 years ago in Windsor Park.”
Moreover, it was almost a home away from home with Fermanagh Northern Ireland fans all around the stadium. 
“There is a large contingency of Fermanagh folk here,” he revealed. 
“At the game, Michael McGovern’s family were sitting two rows behind us. Terry McGovern still wearing braces to hold up his trousers, some thing he has done since my father first worked with him 32 years ago. He is a great guy. 
“Just two seats to my left was a chap that I went to school with, Derek Bell, who I haven’t seen in 10 years. About 20 metres away to our right I could see a group of lads from Fivemiletown and behind them were eight men from Ballinamallard,” said Craig. 
The France trip has not been without its trouble and some Northern Ireland fans were attacked in Nice by French fans the night before the game while English and Russian fans went on the rampage in Marseilles before, during and after their game. 
Craig, though, says the Northern Ireland and Polish fans got on the best. He even revealed that the Polish fans were singing a certain Northern Ireland striker, Will Grigg.
“All is okay in the fanzone and in the city of Nice. The Polish fans are top lads and joined in on the banter right from the word go on Sunday,” added Craig. 
“On the bus out to the ground all the Polish fans were singing ‘Will Grigg’s on fire’ with the NI fans which added to the atmosphere. There are quite a few English and Germans here too but no trouble and all very happy to get involved in the craic around the city. Any trouble that has happened has been quickly dealt with by the police and hasn’t dampened spirits here.” 
So looking ahead to the Ukraine game, Craig remains optimistic but agrees that Kesh man Kyle Lafferty needs a bit of a hand up front in a game that Northern Ireland really need to get all three points. 
“Yes. Kyle needs better service up front. He had no support on Sunday and couldn’t get into the game. I wouldn’t say our men played badly, but possibly let the occasion get to them and let the more experienced Poles dictate the play. 
“Stuart Dallas and Connor Washington need to be in the starting line up. It’s time for them to throw the nerves to the side and step up to the plate. We are not out here to make up numbers. 
“We remain optimistic for the Ukraine game but we need hit the ground running and be on the front foot right from kick off,” concluded Craig as he and the rest of the Northern Ireland fans head for Lyon and the now massive encounter against the Ukraine on Thursday at 5.00pm. 
Then after that it’s the world champions Germany in Paris on Tuesday.