Former Rovers boss Michael O'Neill awarded MBE

Former Shamrock Rovers and current Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill has been awarded an MBE for services to sport by the Queen of England in her New Year's Honours list.

47-year-old O'Neill made history this summer by leading Northern Ireland to their first-ever European Championships before qualifying them for the knockout stages.

The Green and White Army drew with Poland and beat Ukraine in the group stages to set up a second round tie with Wales, which the Walians edged out by a goal to nil.

And the Armagh native was quick to share out the credit upon announcement of the news.

“It’s fantastic and totally unexpected to be honest,” O'Neill told the Irish Football Association's website.

“In many ways I am just getting the recognition for what the team and the association have achieved in recent years.

“It’s not only about the past year and the EUROs, its about the completion of the new stadium and the team doing well, it’s recognition of all that. I am just the fortunate person that gets to pick up an award.

“My oldest daughter thought it was a prank to begin with when the letter arrived! My family are very proud and my family back in Northern Ireland are very proud as well.

“In many ways it hasn’t really sunk in yet, but it’s lovely when you get recognition - it is a proud day for me and all my family.”

Northern Ireland have made a strong start to their World Cup qualification campaign, winning twice and drawing once to leave them in second place behind Germany in Group C.

“The whole year has been fabulous. It will probably only be when I am not in the job that I will be able to look back and realise the extent of what we all achieved.

“This award comes at the end of 2016 but it’s actually a great way start to 2017. That will give me inspiration and motivation to continue to do everything possible to try and qualify for the world cup and to do well in the games that we have ahead.”