How did they get there: Via qualifiers. Started the campaign as the Republic of Ireland before the unification in March 2007. Northern Ireland's place was taken by Montenegro.
Manager: Dougal O'Driscoll.
Captain: Neil Boyle. Northern Ireland native plays his club football for CSA Champions League holders London United.
Euro highlights: This is their first tournament as a unified team. The Republic of Ireland made it to the 1996 quarter-finals but Northern Ireland lost all their three group games in 2000.
Euro legend: For the Republic, Craig Kirk with his bullet free-kick against Romania at England '96. For N.I., Jimmy O'Grady for scoring their only goal in Germany 2000.
Star player: Neil Boyle.
Strengths: ???
Weaknesses: ???
World ranking: 17th.
Our verdict: They are in a really tough group with England in it, but if King Boylo shines well, the Irish have a great chance to getting to the knockout.
