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Northern Ireland players vote to give half their Euro 2016 bonuses to Cancer Fund for Children

Minnows were paid £46,000 for appearances in France

GENEROUS Northern Ireland players are giving half of their bonus from Euro 2016 to a

Boss Michael O'Neill's 23-man squad voted unanimously to donate the match fees from two of the four games the minnows played in France.

 Northern Ireland's players have given half of their Euro 2016 bonuses to Cancer Fund for Children
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Northern Ireland's players have given half of their Euro 2016 bonuses to Cancer Fund for ChildrenCredit: Twitter
 Victory over Ukraine helped them to the second round and ensured they played an extra match in France
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Victory over Ukraine helped them to the second round and ensured they played an extra match in FranceCredit: Getty Images

Northern Ireland players were paid £1,000 each for every match which makes a total of £46,000.


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The tiny football province reached the last 16 - the same stage as England - before being knocked out by Wales.

The cash is quite a sum to players like midfielder Conor McLaughlin who plays his club football for mid-table League One side Fleetwood.

The news follows the decision by Northern Ireland and West Brom defender to the same .

An Irish Football Association source said: "It's a great gesture by the boys. Some of them couldn't be further away from the riches of the English Premier League yet they have chosen to do this."

 Northern Ireland Sport Minister Paul Givan held a reception at Stormont when the players returned from the Euros
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Northern Ireland Sport Minister Paul Givan held a reception at Stormont when the players returned from the EurosCredit: Pacemaker Press
 Boss Michael O'Neill helped put smiles back on the faces of Northern Ireland football fans
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Boss Michael O'Neill helped put smiles back on the faces of Northern Ireland football fansCredit: Pacemaker Press

Speaking about his shirt donation, Gareth McAuley said: “I have been lucky in football to have a lot of great experiences and to have some wonderful memories.

"I wanted to donate the shirt to the Cancer Fund for Children to give something back, to raise as much money as possible for a great cause.

"The shirt is something that is very special to me, so hopefully it will go to a good place.”

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