Euro 2016: Northern Ireland face battle for survival against Ukraine

Northern Ireland face Ukraine in Lyon today with both sides needing a win to keep their Euro 2016 knockout stage dreams alive while the Irish are mourning the death of a young fan

Lyon: Northern Ireland face Ukraine in Lyon today with both sides needing a win to keep their Euro 2016 knockout stage dreams alive while the Irish are mourning the death of a young fan.

Ukraine's defender Artem Fedetskiy (C) and his teammates attend a training session at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais stadium in Lyon. Pic/AFP

Irish fans plan a round of applause at the Stade de Lyon in the 24th-minute of the Group C clash to pay their respects to Darren Rodgers. The 24-year-old from Ballymena died in the early hours of Monday morning in Nice after falling from a restaurant balcony after his team's 1-0 defeat to Poland.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill described Rodgers' death as "devastating". "There was a sense of disappointment at losing the game, we were very tired and then got up in the morning to learn of the situation and nature of the tragedy," said O'Neill.

Northern Ireland defender Jonny Evans says his side must be bold against Ukraine.  "To give ourselves the best chance (to progress) we are going to have to go out and win. It makes it exciting because Ukraine are in the same position."

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