It was announced last week the Mayor of Paris was going to award the prestigious ‘Médaille de la Ville de Paris’ award to the Irish fans after their incredible showing at the Euros.
And now it has been decided who shall accept the award of their behalf and that lucky person is 17-year-old Jamie Monaghan, from Togher, Co Louth.
The teen will accept the award at a special Mayoral reception that will be happening in Paris this week.
Jamie will be joined by the chairman of the Confederation of Republic of Ireland Supporters Clubs, Joe McKenna.
And it’s not just the Republic of Ireland fans that are getting the praise, the ‘Médaille’ will also be presented to the Northern Irish fans.
Jamie attended all four of the Republic of Ireland games and will proudly take to the Fan Zone in Paris on Thursday before the semi-final match between France and Germany to accept the award.
The Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo wrote in a letter to President Michael D Higgins:
“All the Parisians, the French people and our foreign visitors who came to attend the games or simply to visit our city were charmed and impressed by their goodwill, their singing and their good humour.
“Whilst international football is sadly sometimes tarnished by incivilities, misbehaviour, even violence, the supporters of Ireland show to all, for our greater good, what supporting a country and a sport truly means.”
CEO of the Football Association of Ireland spoke to the Irish Examiner about what an honour this was for the fans.
“For our own fans, a new generation of footballing heroes have come along for them to support with such great enthusiasm, which was witnessed in France. These fans are the greatest ambassadors that we could have and we are extremely proud of them.
“I am delighted that Jamie Monaghan will collect this award on behalf of all of our fans and I would like to remember at this time James Nolan, who tragically passed away during EURO 2012. I would also like to remember the two Northern Ireland supporters - Darren Rodgers and Robert Rainey - who died during EURO 2016.”
Jamie took to Facebook to announce the exciting news where he said:
“I am delighted to tell you all that I have been asked to accept this award on behalf of the Republic of Ireland fans.
“I will be heading over to Paris this Thursday with my dad Philip to accept the award from the Parisian mayor Anne Hidalgo, in a ceremony to be held at the fan zone in the capital."
“I am so honoured to have been chosen out of all the dedicated irish fans to accept this award. Myself and my family are so proud.
“I hope that now I might be seen as somewhat of an ambassador for the irish football fans and especially the fans who are in wheelchairs.
“We really are the best in the world.”
