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Clearer Water has signed up to be the hydration/water partner of the 2024 UEFA European Men’s Under-19 Championship finals, which are being staged in Northern Ireland this summer. CLEARER WATER PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR U19 EUROS

The eight-team U19 Euros, featuring some of the best young footballers in Europe, will run from 15 July until 28 July. Group matches are scheduled to be played at Seaview Stadium in Belfast and Inver Park in Larne, while the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast will host the semi-finals and final. And Larne-based water company Clearer Water, which is the official water partner for the Northern Ireland national teams, the sponsor of the Irish Cup and exclusive water supplier to the National Stadium, has extended its support for football here by agreeing to support the U19 Euros, too. Ross Lazaroo-Hood, Global CEO/Co-Owner of Clearer Water, said: “I am thrilled that our 10-year partnership with the Irish Football Association has brought the announcement of Clearer Water as the hydration/water partner of the UEFA U-19 European Championship this summer. “I am also delighted that some of the games in this international tournament will be played in my home town of Larne - at Inver Park, the home of the Irish Premiership champions. “Bringing the international beautiful game to Larne where Clearer Water is based is phenomenal. The team behind Larne FC have invested in their academy to nurture new upcoming talent and I have no doubt this international tournament will inspire young footballers across the town and across the island of Ireland.” The Irish Football Association is hosting U19 Euro 2024 along with UEFA. Holders Italy will face Norway in the first match of the tournament - at Seaview on Monday 15 July (3.30pm kick-off). Northern Ireland’s U19s will play their first game in the U19 Euros later the same day at Inver Park against Ukraine (7pm start).

Gareth McAuley’s U19s have been drawn in Group A with the Italians, Norwegians and Ukrainians, while Group B features Denmark, Spain, France and Turkiye. The opening set of games in Group B will be staged on Tuesday 16 July. First up is Denmark v Spain at Inver Park (3.30pm) followed by France against Turkiye at Seaview at 7pm. Matchday two in Group A will see Norway face Ukraine at the home of Crusaders FC in north Belfast on Thursday 18 July (3.30pm), while Northern Ireland will be taking on Italy at Larne FC’s home ground (7pm). The second set of games in Group B are pencilled in for Friday 19 July. Denmark and France will be in action at Inver Park (3.30pm) followed by Turkiye against Spain at Seaview (7pm). The final games in Group A are due to be staged on Sunday 21 July. Norway and Northern Ireland will meet at Seaview (7pm) as Ukraine and Italy battle it out in Larne (7pm). Group B will draw to a close on Monday 22 July when Turkiye take on Denmark at Seaview (7pm) and Spain come up against France at Inver Park (7pm). The National Football Stadium will host the semi finals on Thursday 25 July. In the first semi-final the winner of Group A will face the Group B runner-up at 2pm, while the winner of Group B and the Group A runner-up are scheduled to meet at 7pm. Five of the teams competing at this summer’s tournament will go on to represent Europe at the 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Chile (four semi-finalists plus the winner of a play-off game between the teams finishing fifth and sixth overall). And that play-off game is also scheduled to be played on Thursday 25 July. It is due to be staged at Seaview, with a 4.30pm start.

Words Nigel Tilson

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