There was mixed news for the Irish underage football management teams yesterday when the qualifying draws for the European football championships due to be played in the year 2000 were announced by UEFA.

The Irish currently hold both the under-18 and under-16 boys' titles and if the under-18s are to make it to the 2000 finals in Germany they will have to come through a group that includes Liechtenstein and Malta before beating France, Scotland or Armenia in a play-off game.

The under-16s, meanwhile, have been drawn in a four-team group along with Wales, Switzerland and Sweden, although the winners of this group will progress to the finals in Israel without having to take part in a play-off game.

The Irish women's under-18 team face a far more complicated route to their finals. They will initially have to take on Estonia, Hungary and Iceland after which, if they win their group, they will face competition from nations like Spain, Poland and Yugoslavia for qualification.

Decisions on venues will be made in the New Year.