BELFAST: Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill pledged that his side would "make an impact" at the 2016 European Championship after securing a historic qualification for the tournament.
Captain Steven Davis scored twice as O'Neill's men beat Greece 3-1 at Windsor Park in Belfast on Thursday to qualify for their first major championship since the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
It will be the first time Northern Ireland have ever appeared at a European Championship, but O'Neill says they will not travel to France to make up the numbers.
"We're not just going to go to France and enjoy it," said O'Neill, whose side have risen from 88th to 35th in the FIFA world ranking during his tenure.
"We're going to go and try to make an impact. I genuinely believe, fitness and availability willing, we can go there with a real optimism.
"I'm very proud of what we've achieved. This is certainly the highest point of my career, either as a player or a manager."
O'Neill reserved special praise for Southampton midfielder Davis, who netted either side of a Josh Magennis header before Christos Aravidis claimed a late consolation for the Greeks.
"Steven's performance was out of this world. He is a magnificent captain," said O'Neill, a former player with Newcastle United and Wigan Athletic, who succeeded Nigel Worthington as manager in December 2011.
"Anyone in the squad will validate that opinion. That gives you an indication of the type of player and person he is.
"For those players who've been through campaign after campaign and been through loads of disappointments -- and had a lot of criticism -- this is their moment as much as it is mine."
Davis, who was a year old when his country last graced a major tournament, dedicated his goals to his late mother.
"When I scored, it obviously meant a lot because my mum passed away in 2008," he said. "She was my biggest fan. Those two goals were for her."
- 'Football unites people' -
The back page of Friday's Belfast Telegraph branded Davies and his team-mates "The history boys", while the Daily Mirror called them "Heroes".
Northern Ireland's four-time major-winning golfer Rory McIlroy, who attended the game, posted a picture of his view of the pitch on Twitter, writing: "Anyone for France next year? #EURO2016"
Top scorer Kyle Lafferty, who missed the game through suspension, told Sky Sports News: "It's hard to believe. We were set up to do a task and the lads were superb."
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "Huge congratulations to Northern Ireland on qualifying for the European Championships for the first time."
Northern Ireland's greatest player, George Best, made 37 appearances for his country between 1964 and 1977, scoring nine goals, but the Manchester United winger never played at a major tournament.
The 'Green and White Army' reached the quarter-finals at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, losing 4-0 to France, and made successive appearances at the tournament in 1982 and 1986.
In a country still riven by political and religious differences, Healy said that football could be a uniting force.
"People always talk about all the other crap that goes on in Northern Ireland, but this is what unites people in the country," Healy, who scored 36 international goals, told Britain's Press Association.
"Football fans here are incredibly proud people and this has been a long time coming. Being here to see this happen has been a pleasure. It's an incredible feeling."
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