Cork's Matthew Moore leads Hoffenheim to German U19 league title 

Cork teenager Matthew Moore has captained Hoffenheim to the German U19 title, a trophy secured with a 2-0 victory over FC Cologne.

The midfielder starred alongside Cavan native Finn Sherlock, who scored the second goal midway through the first half.

The German U19 title was achieved against the reigning champions, following a long season that involved three knock-out ties before the grand finale.

Hoffenheim overcame Schalke in the Round of 16, Energie Cottbus in the quarter finals, and Mainz in the semi-finals with Moore wearing the captain’s armband.

This is another seismic moment for a player that began with Carrigaline United and Cork City in the Underage National Leagues.

Moore exploded onto the scene at international level by captaining the U16s to victory in the Victory Shield in 2022.

The midfielder continued his form by featuring on the Ireland U17s side that reached the quarter finals of their European Championship by finishing second in a group containing Poland, Hungary, and Wales.

Moore was recognised for his work by being named Men’s U16 International Player of the Year at the FAI International Awards in 2023.

The midfielder continued to make his name known by featuring on a Cork City U19s side that drew 1-1 away from home with Aston Villa in a friendly.

Hoffenheim won the race for the midfielder’s signature, and he has progressed from their U17s to U19s.

The German side are one of the most exciting clubs in Germany for producing young footballers.

One of their best known academy graduates is Niklas Süle, who helped Bayern Munich win the treble in 2019/20.

Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel started with Hoffenheim after moving to Germany from Grasshopper, and he was a member of the squad that reached the 2024 Champions League final and lost to Real Madrid at Wembley.

Pascal Groß, who has helped Brighton & Hove Albion reach untold highs in the Premier League, is another alumni.

Moore’s assent falls in line with the wider trend of Bundesliga clubs looking at young talent from Ireland in recent years. 

Mason Melia was one that a number of clubs looked at, before the Dubliner chose to sign for Tottenham Hotspur.

Former Hoffenheim U19 manager Tobias Nubbemeyer was full of praise for his international battalion in 2024, with specific words for Moore and Sherlock.

‘Can you bring us some more Irish players?” was the joke he made when he asked about his two Irish underage internationals.

Moore’s title win with Hoffenheim comes in the same week that three former Cork City academy graduates featured for the Republic of Ireland in a 1-0 victory over Qatar.

Chiedozie Ogbene and Jake O’Brien started the game, while Jaden Umeh came off the bench for his senior debut.