O'Neill hoping Grigg stays on fire

 

Grigg has had a sensational season for Wigan, netting 28 goals as the Latics secured promotion back to the Championship from League One. The English born striker then netted his first goal for Norn Iron in the 3-0 win over Belarus on Friday night.

 

Now fans of the White and Green Army will have a chance to sing “Will Grigg's on fire” in France as O'Neill has decided that the 24 year old's current form warranted the final striker berth in his squad, beating 20 goal Ross County frontman Liam Boyce and Dundee United's Billy McKay – ironically on loan from Wigan – to the seat on the plane.

 

“It was a hard choice between Will Grigg and Liam Boyce,” admitted O'Neill at the squad announcement in the Titanic Museum in Belfast. “Will just kept on scoring, 28 goals for his team and helping them to promotion. While it was a difficult decision, I think it was the right one.”

 

MK Dons full-back Lee Hodson saw off competition from on loan Oldham Athletic man Daniel Lafferty and Peterborough's Michael Smith to seal his place in the squad.

 

Hodson's MK Dons teammate Ben Reeves was the fifth and final player to miss the cut as O'Neill settled on the 23 players charged with leading Northern Ireland into their first major tournament since 1986. This includes former Shamrock Rovers stopper Alan Mannus, now of St. Johnstone.

 

Goalkeepers: Alan Mannus (St Johnstone), Michael McGovern (Hamilton Academical), Roy Carroll (Linfield).

 

Defenders: Craig Cathcart (Watford), Jonathan Evans (West Bromwich Albion), Gareth McAuley (West Bromwich Albion), Luke McCullough (Doncaster Rovers), Conor McLaughlin (Fleetwood Town), Lee Hodson (MK Dons), Aaron Hughes (Free agent), Patrick McNair (Manchester United), Chris Baird (Derby County).

 

Midfielders: Steven Davis (Southampton), Oliver Norwood, (Reading), Corry Evans, (Blackburn Rovers), Shane Ferguson (Millwall), Stuart Dallas (Leeds United), Niall McGinn (Aberdeen), Jamie Ward (Nottingham Forest).

 

Forwards: Kyle Lafferty (Norwich City), Conor Washington (Queens Park Rangers), Josh Magennis (Kilmarnock), Will Grigg (Wigan Athletic).