Football fans from both sides of the border who attended the Euros have now officially been bestowed with the Medal of the City of Paris. (It's one to pop on the mantlepiece alongside the Time Person of the Year award, 2006).
It was a lovely tribute from the French hosts, who did seem to be besotted with the Irish fans throughout the fortnight.
In Paris, on the night of Ireland's 1-1 draw with Sweden, one young Frenchman, with an Irish tricolour draped around his shoulders, became rather emotional about his love for the Irish fans, telling this writer that the green clad visitors had caused an 'explosion' (of the good kind) in his native city, before screaming 'TONIGHT, I'M IRISH! I'M IRISH!'
The Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo decided to award both Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland fans with the 'Grand Vermeil' for their 'exemplary sportsmanship' during the tournament.
And there is no better representative to pick up the award on behalf of the Irish fans.
Louth teenager Jamie Monaghan attended all four Irish games in the Euros, in defiance of his rare condition, trisomy 9 mosaicism, which means he can't walk or talk.
His Jamie On Tour flag attracted the notice of newspapers in France and Ireland. The wheels on his custamised wheelchair were signed by the Irish players.
His sister Aoife told the BBC today that John Delaney phoned the family and asked would Jamie travel to France to accept the medal on behalf of the Irish fans.
Gerard Grimes posted a picture of Jamie receiving the medal from the Paris mayor on the Balls.ie Euros facebook group today.
The award was awarded to #IRL supporters for your fantastic support and behaviour! https://t.co/uM3nyqFjcX #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/z3VjE1QJCi
— FAIreland (@FAIreland) July 7, 2016
