England 0/1 Republic of Ireland
Robbie Benson (78)
The Boys U18 Schools International team captured the Centenary Shield last night after a second half goal from Athlone’s Robbie Benson secured the silverware for Dave Archbold’s side:
The match was televised live from Pirelli Stadium, home of Burton Albion as hosts England only required a draw to retain the title:
The Irish fielded an impressive starting eleven which saw Dundalk’s Nathan Murphy return to the squad and a strike partnership of Robbie Benson and Castleisland’s Sean Brosnan:
Ireland started the brighter with the visitors enjoying much of the possession: Horgan and Skelly were impressive in the opening twenty minutes and the English midfield was struggling to get into the game with their familiar 3/5/2 formation:
The industrious Daryl Horgan came excruciatingly close to a fantastic opener on 21 minutes as he picked up on a perfectly placed ball from Benson: Horgan lobbed Andrew Molloy with ease however a goal line clearance from defender Kelly saved the English’s blushes:
The strike partnership of Brosnan and Benson was working well as the duo were very lively upfront and causing all sorts of problems for the English defence:
Ireland were tactically more advanced with the team displaying 2/3 touch football, moving the ball quickly around the park with ease and more notably, the English hadn’t time to close the visitors down:
The desire and work rate of Brosnan was fantastic as the Irish pressed forward with determination:
The Irish defence was solid with Captain Boyle, Nolan and Dwane playing superbly: It was testament to their endeavours as Keeper McGinty was rarely called into action in the first half: The Donegal teenager was flawless with a number of fine catches under pressure:
England eventually settled into the game with the interval fast approaching and it was youngster Boyce who had the best opportunity for the hosts after a great through ball from Gater in midfield: Boyce’s effort sailed over the crossbar much to the relief of the Irish contingency:
With the first half drawing to a close, Tim Rivers tested McGinty forcing him to save:
England made two changes at half time with Whitham and Regis replacing Gater and Boyce while Ireland took the opportunity to introduce Stephen Chambers for Hanlon:
Six minutes in, Benson’s deflected effort almost took the ball out of reach of Molloy but the ball drifted wide off the marker:
The English were awarded a free kick on 56 minutes and Hancock played a near perfect ball into the box, Williams rose highest and his decent effort was nodded past the woodwork:
Gary Shaw was introduced for the impressive Brosnan just over the hour mark as Manager Dave Archbold restructured the Irish formation:
Archbold noted the Irish build up was excellent but it was lacking the final product and needed to be corrected thus Shaw, Skelly and Benson were requested to move forward:
England was exerting quite a bit of pressure in the final thirty minutes of the game: Hancock was again the supplier as he put Reece Yorke through but the presence of Tomas Boyle was enough to put the English midfielder off:
Jake Carroll was introduced for the injured Nathan Murphy on 69 minutes:
Nine minutes later, Ireland broke the deadlock when Sean Skelly pressed forward on the counter attack: His quick feet saw the ball released to Gary Shaw who in turn played the ball back to him: Skelly’s crafty step over found Benson in space who made no mistake as he buried the ball to the back of the net: It was a well deserved goal for the Irish as they performed well for the majority of the match play:
The Irish defence played a pivotal role in the late stages with England targeting Williams and Kelly on all set pieces: A nervous final ten for the visitors saw Bonagee clubman McGinty called into action: His confident display between the posts denied Rivers while Boyle’s presence was enough to see off the danger men of Williams and Kelly:
Sean Skelly nearly extended Ireland’s lead at the other end with a crisp free kick on 83 minutes but Adam Molloy got down well to save:
Whitham had a decent strike on goal two minutes later but there was too much power in the strike and the ball rose high into the stand:
England grew in confidence as Kelly chested down to produce a snap shot on goal: McGinty was well positioned and produced a fine save to deny the defender:
Templeogue College student Niall Cooney replaced Hugh Douglas as the game headed into injury time:
With four minutes of additional time played, 16 year old Tom Boakye was gifted the best chance of the game as he noticed McGinty of his line: The ball crept in and off the crossbar for an agonising finish to England’s campaign:
The Irish were fortunate when Kenny Reeves advanced on goal in the last few seconds but he stumbled at a critical moment and the danger was averted:
Ireland’s last title was captured in 2008 as they defeated England 1/0 in the Stadium of Light: This feat was repeated for the Irish on Friday night as Captain Tomas Boyle stepped up to accept the Shield for the Irish: A wonderful occasion for the Schools International setup which sees them capture the title for the fifth time in eight years:
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Marty McGinty (Deele College), Brian Nolan (St Paul's CC), Jason Dwane (St: Peter's College), Tomas Boyle (Salesian College), Nathan Murphy (Colaiste Ris); Adam Hanlon (Arklow Community College), Hugh Douglas (St: Brendan’s College), Sean Skelly (St: Joseph's Fairview), Daryl Horgan (St: Enda's College, Galway), Sean Brosnan (St: Patrick’s SS, Castleisland) , Robbie Benson (Marist College)
Subs used: Stephen Chambers (St: Fintan's) for Hanlon (h/t), Gary Shaw (Patrician SS) for Brosnan (61), Jake Carroll (Confey CC, Leixlip) for Murphy (69), Niall Cooney (Templeogue College) for Douglas (90),
Other Subs: Josh Byrne (De La Salle), Daragh Walshe (St: Kieran's College), Barry O’Mahony (Summerhill College, Sligo),
MANAGEMENT: Dave Archbold, Manager (Palmerstown Community School), Ollie Horgan, Assistant Manager (St: Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), Hugh Colhoun, Coach (St: Laurence College, Loughlinstown), Ian Carry, GK Coach (FAI Schools Development Officer), Mickey McGlynn (Physiotherapist), Dr: Tom Boyce (Doctor)
ENGLAND: Molloy, Yorke, Kelly, Williams, Boakye, Boyce, Hancock (Capt), Gater, Whitehead, Rivers, Reeves
Subs: Whitham for Gater (h/t), Regis for Boyce (h/t), Thompson Brown for Whitehead (83)
Attendance: 3,700