Irish FA President Conrad Kirkwood speaks ahead of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship draw at the Titanic Museum in Belfast.
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00:00 Good afternoon and welcome everyone to the Titanic Museum in Belfast.
00:06 This is an area steeped in the history of our shipbuilding past, but more recently it's become a mecca for tourism and for television work.
00:14 So any of you who are Game of Thrones fans, you're right in the area where that was filmed in the main part,
00:19 and you'll see some windows around the city as you come back to the hotels that are a tribute to Game of Thrones.
00:25 The brand itself, Titanic, is instantly recognisable worldwide, perhaps for the wrong reasons.
00:31 But we put a different perspective on it here, and so something of our national humour when we say, "It was alright when it left us."
00:38 So, west, there were no icebergs to be seen, another feature, storm path lane.
00:43 Almost put pain to the event in this building where the roof blew off in parts of it a few weeks ago.
00:48 Mercifully that can be repaired and we're able to enjoy this beautiful building today.
00:52 You'll find, incidentally, the weather, we would hope it's better in July, but the weather here is always a topic of conversation.
00:59 My thanks go to UEFA for their, for the line of privilege of hosting the finals.
01:06 The tournament in 2020 was cancelled due to COVID, so it's particularly pleasing to welcome UEFA and our seven visiting teams to join us here for the tournament.
01:14 We're delighted.
01:15 I'd also like to thank our sponsors, Alidas, Clearwater and SendMyBag.com for their support.
01:21 It's great to have them and we're really glad that they're able to join us here today.
01:25 Whilst you're here for the football itself, you'll find the people here in Northern Ireland friendly, welcoming and inquisitive.
01:32 We love visitors, we ask lots of questions, we're a bit nosy to be honest, but we're really glad to have you and we'll be really glad to host you in the summer.
01:39 The power of football is that it brings people together, and it's doing just that today in the middle of the summer.
01:44 And it allows people to enjoy new experiences, new people and new places.
01:49 So whilst your teams are here in the summer, try and find a bit of time to go out and experience our great city and perhaps explore further Athelian Army country as we call it.
01:58 Whether you choose to sample food and drink in the city, or the city coastline as far up as the Giant's Causeway, you'll not be disappointed, so I'd encourage it.
02:06 Northern Ireland was the venue for the Euros, the Women's Under-19 Euros in 2017 and the United Super Cup in 2021.
02:14 Our staff at the Irish FA and our volunteers who played a big part had a great experience hosting competitions, and I look forward to them building on that success even further.
02:24 And they're bursting with enthusiasm, I've seen them doing some of the courses at the National Stadium and I just can't wait for this to happen.
02:30 The games where we played at CB Stadium in Belfast and in the Department of Arm, my thanks to the Arm and Crusaders for allowing that.
02:36 My thanks also to the various clubs around the province who allow us to use their facilities for training.
02:42 It's a big honour for them, but it's also great for us that they've allowed that to happen.
02:46 We look forward to the semi-finals and the final at the National Football Stadium in Winter Park.
02:50 The pedigree of the teams taking part was very impressive. Italy, the holders, won twice. Spain had an impressive eight times.
02:58 France, three. Ukraine had won once. Both Turkey and Denmark were able to build on their success.
03:06 Norway and Ukraine have 100% records on qualification. Northern Ireland would be able to capitalise on their win that beat under Gareth McCauley.
03:16 And it makes for a great tournament and a huge opportunity for the young players of all of those countries.
03:22 One more Titanic reference, if you'll let me. A 1950s film with the Titanic was called 'A Night to Remember'.
03:30 There's a few people old enough to have a license to be in the room to remember that one, sorry Tim.
03:34 I wish you all a successful tournament and one which I hope will be a tournament to remember.
03:38 I hope you're all looking forward to it as much as I am. Thank you and good luck in the draw.