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Northern Ireland take in sights of EURO base

Michael O'Neill's Green and White Army have arrived in France and their base among the vineyards around Lyon. Graham Little takes us inside Northern Ireland's home from home.

Chateau de Pizay
Chateau de Pizay ©Getty Images

Michael O'Neill's Green and White Army landed in Lyon this evening and headed straight to their tournament base in the heart of the Beaujolais wine region, 60km north of the city.

There has been a settlement on the site of the beautiful Château de Pizay for over 1,000 years but rarely will this quiet rural location have seen the level of attention coming its way over the next few weeks.

Already Northern Ireland flags hang from lampposts on the main road to the hotel, an incongruous sight against the backdrop of neat rows of vines that stretch to the horizon in all directions.

An immaculate tree-lined avenue marks the actual approach to the hotel, which is flanked by a stunning 18th-century formal garden. O'Neill and his two assistant coaches will not be short of places for reflection in this historic setting, with an old family chapel attached to the chateau if they require divine intervention.

The players will be well catered for, too: there is both an indoor and an outdoor swimming pool and a spa complex. An advance group from the Irish Football Association (IFA) had also installed a well-equipped games room complete with darts board, pool tables, table tennis, table football, board games and two huge televisions pre-set with various gaming options.

The back-room team even installed a UK television service – enabling the squad to watch the news and programmes from back home – as well as a massive touchscreen panel that is being constantly updated with supportive tweets and videos uploaded by the fans in Northern Ireland.

Inspiration: George Best
Inspiration: George Best©Getty Images

Photographic inspiration
The walls of the games room are festooned with images of Northern Irish sporting greats such as George Best, Barry McGuigan, Joey Dunlop, Mary Peters and Rory McIlroy. Northern Ireland football favourites like Gerry Armstrong, Pat Jennings and Alan McDonald are also represented and there are reminders everywhere of the team's own recent success, especially their table-topping qualifying campaign.

With the squad's adopted slogan 'Dare To Dream' framing most posters, it is fair to say the 23 players will not be lacking sources of inspiration at their Château de Pizay.

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