European U17 Championship Finals
In addition to the Group A fixtures which saw the Czech Republic and Belgium get proceedings underway at noon on Friday the 3rd May in Tolka Park with a one all draw followed later in the evening by the dramatic draw between Ireland and Greece in Tallaght Stadium, the two opening fixtures in Group B also took place with Holland defeating Sweden by two goals to nil in the RSC Waterford at 5pm while France and England played out a one all draw in the City Calling Stadium, Longford at 7pm.
Group C commenced on Saturday the 4th May with Iceland defeating Russia by three goals to two in Whitehall Stadium, home of Home Farm FC, at 2pm while Portugal went down to a one nil defeat by Hungary at 7pm in the UCD Bowl.
Group D also commenced on Saturday with Spain defeating Austria by three goals to nil in the Carlisle Grounds, Bray and Italy defeating Germany by three goals to one in Tallaght Stadium.
Tennent’s Irish Cup Final
Crusaders have won the 2019 Tennant’s Irish Cup with a three nil victory over Ballinamallard United this Saturday afternoon in Windsor Park, Belfast. The County Fermanagh side were contesting their first ever cup final and hoping to improve the statistics which had seen them gain just one victory in twenty meetings with their opponents, with seventeen losses and two draws, but it was not to be.
KNVB Cup Final
The Dutch Cup Final between Ajax of Amsterdam and Willem II from Tilburg took place at 5pm (Irish time) on Sunday afternoon in the De Kuip Stadium, Rotterdam with Ajax emerging as comfortable four nil victors. Twenty one year old midfielder Daniel Crowley was disappointingly named on the Willem II substitute bench and was only introduced after sixty two minutes. It is understood that Ireland manager Mick McCarthy was in attendance to cast his eye over dual national Crowley who has confirmed his wish to be considered for selection by Ireland but he is likely to have learned little in the circumstances.