Euro 2016 ten years on - and NI's bright future

It's 16 June, 2016. Hailstones are falling from the sky in Lyon. Gareth McAuley has just scored one of the most famous goals in Northern Ireland history.

It takes you back, doesn't it?

It is 10 years since Northern Ireland's last major tournament, and Michael O'Neill's side are back in France for the first time since.

They are taking on Didier Deschamps' star-studded side in Lille on Monday, in what is Les Blues' send-off match before the World Cup.

Northern Ireland may have missed out on that tournament after losing to Italy in their World Cup play-off, but with a young squad on an upward trajectory, there are hopes they will reach the promised land of a major tournament in years to come.

From the 23 players who headed to France 10 years ago, only two remain.

Paddy McNair, fresh from helping Hull City win promotion to the Premier League, is injured, which leaves Josh Magennis as the last man standing from the Euros.

Now 35, and a free agent after leaving Exeter City, the memories are still strong.

"I still remember from when we left the hotel in the Culloden and when we got the suits, you know, it was unbelievable," Magennis told BBC Sport NI.

"It was just amazing from start to finish. To be able to say you've played for your country is brilliant, but to go toe-to-toe with the world's best on the European stage was absolutely fantastic."

On the pitch, two moments stand out for Magennis.

He was heavily involved in the second goal against Ukraine as, when being urged to keep the ball in the corner in injury time, he darted into the box and Niall McGinn scored a famous clincher.

"We all went over and we were celebrating with our families, and I was looking at the boys' faces and I was like, 'we're actually going to win in a major tournament'.

"And then the game against Germany, I always remember [goalkeeper] Michael McGovern having one of the best games of his life.

"It was just amazing for a lot of people and to see everything you've worked towards accumulate into a solid European Championship. It was brilliant."

The travelling support in France also made a lasting impression on Magennis.

"When we went into the fan zones and it was just green and white everywhere and then we just took over everywhere we went.

"It was a full collective and it was amazing.

"I don't know if I'll be able to do it in my stint now, but if we can do it again going forward, it'll be absolutely fantastic."

Magennis won his 88th cap off the bench in the low-key friendly win over Guinea on Thursday.

Since making his debut in 2010, he has been almost ever-present for O'Neill and is a fan favourite for the Green and White Army.

While he dreams of reaching a century of caps, he is aware the young players are nipping at his heels.

Jamie Donley has emerged as a first-choice starter, while Arsenal teenager Ceadach O'Neill and Liverpool's Kieran Morrison made their NI debuts against Guinea, while Everton's Braiden Graham was also called into his first squad.

Although they are all challenging for the starting shirt, Magennis is more than happy to help the next generation.

"I was in that situation when I first came in the squad with Martin Patterson, David Healy and Kyle Lafferty,

"They were fantastic, and I'm going to do what they did with me."

Magennis said it was important to help the likes of the teenager trio who are not playing senior football for their clubs, and are making the step up on the international stage.

"It's a different type of game for them but it's just sort of just communicating with them and helping them bed in as quickly as possible because there's no doubt they're an unbelievable talent.

"If all goes well, God-willing, they can be a generational talent for Northern Ireland."

It goes beyond the attackers, too.

Against Guinea, Northern Ireland named their youngest starting team since the end of World War Two with an average age of 22.1

"If you're good enough, it doesn't matter how old you are, so Michael will always give you that opportunity.

"They're absolutely loving it, they're full of enthusiasm and hopefully they've got a long time in this Northern Ireland squad to come."

As he chases 100 caps, Magennis admits he does not know if he will reach a century but "it gives me a reason to keep going".

"I've said it for ages now that I've been fortunate enough that as long as I've played football, I've always picked and chose my places to go club-wise so I could always represent my country and that's put me in good stead to date.

"I've always had the same enthusiasm where every camp's like my first.

"I don't take it for granted, because we've seen with 'Davo' [Steven Davis], Stuarty Dallas and Chris Brunt, your career can be taken away from you in an instant.

"So as long as I'm here and involved in the camp, I fully enjoy it."

While Northern Ireland will not be at the World Cup, they are still testing themselves against the top teams.

France will be the latest of those, and O'Neill's young side have also faced Italy, Germany and Spain recently.

With attacking talent like Kylian Mbappe, who is aiming to equal or surpass Oliver Giroud's record number of goals for France, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise, they are "a world-class team" in Magennis' view.

"They are probably one of five teams going expecting that they can win the World Cup, and they've very rightly so because they've got unbelievable amount of players.

"But if we only ever worried about the opposition, we can never take full advantage of of how good we are as a team."

France were stunned by the Ivory Coast in Nantes on Thursday and Magennis feels Northern Ireland have the ability to capitalise should the hosts be off the pace.

"There's no doubt we've got to try and manage and limit their dangers, but we've also got threats .

"If they disrespect us, which I'm not saying that they will, or if they're a bit lacklustre, we've got more than enough quality to hurt them and that's what we're planning to do."

International friendly

8 June, 20:10 BST

Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille