April 1
No time for April Fool jokes this morning - at least not until later - as the our DDSL U-13A1 squad and supporters struggle out of their beds at 4.00am for the early morning flight to Venice.
First things first; did everyone manage to get their passport, despite the chaos in the Passport Office? Yes, although for some it was a close call.
Second; is everyone at the airport? Yes. OK then, let's get the show on the road and in the air.
We see the steeple of St. Mark's in the distance as the plane comes in to land. Then it's off to the Hotel Speranza in Jesolo Di Lido via a stop-off at the headquarters of the organising committee.
In the afternoon the boys play the dads in a match on the beach outside the hotel. Rain interrupts play with the dads ahead; the boys accusing them of foul play!
The hotel food is a real hit with everybody. NOT!
In the evening the Cabo players amuse themselves in some of Jesolo's arcades and tourist spots.
April 2
Another early start and the serious business begins.
Cabinteely's first match (scroll down to the 'U14' section) in the Trofeo Di Jesolo is at 9.45am against the Danish team, Vanløse IF 3.
Despite a pitch that is waterlogged in parts because of last night's heavy rain the Dubliners cruise to a 2-0 victory, thanks to penalty goals from Eoin Gannon and Ross Whyte.
The parents and supporters in the stand struggle to stay warm but there's no lack of cheering for Cabo.
At noon it's the second match of the day - this one against ASD Sporting from Italy. This was a tough team with big lads and a forward whose hair style was very similar to Everton's Marouane Fellaini.
The match ends 0-0. All in all a good day's work!
Coaches Aidan Forsyth and Paul Doyle have every reason to be pleased. In the meantime another of the dads, John Gannon, has been scouting tomorrow's opposition.
Back at the hotel most of the gang decides that today is the day to visit Venice.
So, off we head by bus, boat and on foot to explore one of the most unusual cities in the world.
All agree afterwards Venice is no damp squib; it really does live up to its billing.
April 3
It's a beautiful sunny morning as all the teams taking part in the international tournament gather for the Trofeo's formal opening ceremony.
All except one, which just manages to make it to the closing stages.
Yes... the missing team was Cabinteely. Faulty bus directions are the reason for the lateness but a consensus emerges that we won't trust Aidan and Paul with directions in future!
We manage to catch the first half of the Man. Utd. v Chelsea game before heading off to the stadium and Cabinteely's next couple of matches.
First up it's SC Theresienfeld from Austria.
We won't say too much about them except that their manager appeared to know every English swear word that exists after Aidan rightly objected to the Austrians' insistence on using their football.
The match ended 0-0.
Now there was a real possibility of a place in the semi-finals, provided Cabo beat Vanløse IF 1 from Denmark.
They have a really good player who, obviously, had been studying some of Cristiano Ronaldo's moves.
Unfortunately the Dubliners lose 1-0. Still, no disgrace! And the boys, plus Rachel Doyle, will play off tomorrow for fifth and sixth places in the tournament.
At night time there's a sports quiz in the hotel. Everyone plays but not every team is lucky enough to have Joe 'I know my football' Whyte on its side.
April 4
Our opponents today are GS Vianese Calcio from Italy. With lots of cheering and “Olé, Olé, Olés” coming from the supporters in the stands, Cabo cruises to a 2-0 victory, with both goals coming from Gregory O'Meara.
We later discover that the two teams who finished ahead of us in our group have made it to the final with the Italians and Fellaini beating the Danes and the blond Ronaldo on penalties.
We console ourselves with the knowledge that the eventual winners could only draw with us.
Back at the hotel the Easter Bunny has been and there's a mad but brief scramble for the hidden Easter eggs.
The lads amuse themselves in the afternoon with games of football and rugby on the beach.
At the closing ceremony later in the evening we see the Belgian U-19s, who are staying at our hotel, beating a German team.
The Cabo players just about get their medals for finishing fifth before the heavens open.
April 5
Today it's off by bus to Lake Garda and the Gardaland theme park.
Everybody enjoys the rides with some adults discovering the child within.
Traffic chaos delays our return to Jesolo but it's a small price to pay for a great day out.
In the evening over dinner we all give three cheers to the players and to Aidan, Paul and Yvonne Barry for organising what we all agree was a great trip.
April 6
We leave a warm and sunny Venice Airport for a cold, wet and windy Dublin.
Some things never change!
Match pic 1
Match pic 2
Match pic 3
At Gardaland
At Gardaland
A joyful group
Supporter number one