A BELFAST soccer player was one of the soccer heroes who returned to Dublin clutching the Under-18 European Championship trophy.
Ger Crossley (18), a midfielder for Celtic, was still celebrating after the side defeated Germany in the final of the Championship held in Cyprus on Sunday night.
“The game was tough and we were very nervous at the start but we held our nerve,” he said.
And the midfielder who was taken off at half-time during the final said he would have liked nothing more than to be one of the five Irish players who had to face the German goalkeeper during the penalty shootout.
The Belfast lad’s family travelled from the north for a tearful reunion at the airport last night.
But even though Ger is part of a championship-winning team there will be no rest for the young player – he starts training with Celtic on Wednesday and hopes to break into the first team this season.
Up to 1,000 people braved torrential rain as the victorious Under-18 team returned home with their cherished trophy just before midnight.
Each of the 18-strong squad was given a massive roar as he was introduced to a chorus of “Ole, Ole Ole” by team manager Brian Kerr.
Manager Kerr was soon back at work, the mastermind of the victory said he was getting ready for next week’s journey to Iceland where the under-16 team is to play a tournament.
Both President Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern have sent congratulations to Ireland’s latest champions.
And already the team is looking forward to next year’s trip to Nigeria where they are aiming to win the World Championship.
A MEETING of the GAA’s Munster Council takes place tonight dealing with the investigation of events that marred the Senior Hurling Final replay between Clare and Waterford on July 19.
An inquiry and use of video evidence was called for after the violence at Semple Stadium.
Two players were sent off in the opening minutes while off-the-ball incidents sparked controversy and criticism.
Waterford issued a formal letter of protest last week, incensed by the goings-on in Thurles, treatment of their players, and the dismissal of White.
Officials requested the authorities use video footage to assist with their investigation, and speculation is rife within Munster that suspensions and fines could result.
BELFAST doctor Sean Donnelly has been drafted into the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games medical team bound for Kuala Lumpur.
The Antrim Road man, Ulster boxing’s chief medical officer, will replace Dr Domhnall McAuley who had to withdraw from the side.
Donnelly had originally been invited by the Malaysian organisers to attend the September Games in a technical role on the medical jury panel. But last night he said he was “delighted by this call up.”
ROY Keane’s long-awaited comeback lasted just 45 minutes and produced a familiar yellow card as Manchester United began their three-match tour of Scandinavia with a 2-2 draw against Norwegian part-timers Valerengea in Oslo last night.
Republic of Ireland midfielder Keane was playing his first game for 10 months after recovering from a knee ligament injury and he was substituted at half-time as a precaution.
