Ireland Set To Host 2019 UEFA Euro U17 Championship Finals

The Football Association of Ireland have announced that the country will host the 16-nation UEFA European Under-17 Championship finals in 2019.

Ireland Set To Host 2019 UEFA Euro U17 Championship Finals

This, coupled with the fact that Dublin is set to host the Euro 2020 games, gives Ireland the chance to prove it can host a major competition, and FAI CEO John Delaney stated it will be a “memorable football occasion” for the nation.

“This is great news for Ireland and it is, once again, testament to the great work that has been done in partnership with all those who have pledged support with our bidding process,” said Delaney.

“In particular, I would like to thank all of the Dublin regional council authorities, Dublin City Council, South Dublin County Council, Fingal County Council and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, who were tremendous supporters throughout this process.”

The FAI CEO continued: “This is a prestigious tournament and will bring the best European underage talent to these shores for what will be a memorable football occasion for all of Ireland.”

FAI Director of High Performance Ruud Dokter said the awarding of the 2019 tournament to Ireland marked the end of an “excellent year for underage football in this country.”

“This announcement comes on the back of the successes of our Under 17s and Under 19s for both men and women, who have qualified for the Elite Rounds of their respective UEFA European Championship campaigns,” said Dokter.

“This news from UEFA is extremely positive for Irish football. Hosting the UEFA European Under 17 Championship Finals in 2019 perfectly fits in with everything we are trying to do with the development of our players.”

Ireland will also host two other major sports tournaments next year: the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup and 2017 European U18 Basketball Championships.

Ireland have reached the finals of the men’s U17 competition twice, in 2008 and 2015, but have yet to win a game, having drawn one match and lost the other five.

Croatia will stage the 2017 U17 final tournament in May, the third since the championship’s return to a 16-team event. England will be the 2018 hosts.

BELGRADE, SERBIA – MARCH 28: Anthony Dolan (R) of Ireland competes for the ball with David Sauerland (L) of Germany during the UEFA Under17 Elite Round between Germany and Ireland at Stadion FC Obilic on March 28, 2014 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Article by Pablo Mena