O’Reilly announces squad ahead of St. Patrick’s Day derby

                                                            INSPIRESPORT CENTENARY SHIELD

Republic of Ireland Schools vs Northern Ireland Schools

Arklow Town FC

Thursday, March 17, KO 1pm

Paddy O’Reilly will kick-start his second season as International Manager in the Inspiresport Centenary Shield as ARKLOW TOWN FC play host to its first Schools International with neighbours Northern Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day.

The annual event is always an exciting affair for both sides and it definitely lived up to expectations last season with a five goal thriller and three penalties awarded in Ferney Park, Ballinamallard United FC. The Republic of Ireland edged the crunch encounter as they were awarded a penalty in each half to take the tie. St. Benildus scholar Aaron Robinson opened the scoring with a quarter of an hour played to give O’Reilly’s men a slight advantage while Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí starlet Connor Ellis converted from the penalty spot just before the interval to double their lead, making it 2-0 at the interval.

Mark Syke grabbed one back for the North 8 minutes into the restart. Ellis was again on hand to convert the penalty when awarded on 78 minutes to give O’Reilly’s side some breathing space. Six minutes of injury time was played in which time Adam Sally duly scored from yet another penalty decision to make it 3-2 in the 96^th minute. A close encounter with O’Reilly enjoying the spoils and a valuable three points in an action packed fixture.

Joint Northern Ireland Managers Conor Marlin and Frankie Wilson will feel hard done by in last year’s decider so they will want to correct the result this time around. The Northern crew will have two competitive games under their belt before they brace themselves for the local challenge. Scotland will host them on Friday, February 26 (7pm) in Lesser Hampden, Glasgow in the opening game of the 2016 campaign. The duo of Marlin and Wilson will combine again on Friday, March 4 as they take on their English counterparts with home advantage at Comber FC (4pm). So when O’Reilly’s men face off against their rivals, it will be the North’s penultimate game of the Shield. Their final game is at home to Wales on April 15 in Comber FC (4.30pm)

Balbriggan native O’Reilly had a glorious debut last season capturing the Centenary Shield in his first year as Manager with just three games played. An incredible achievement that will be very difficult to replicate this time out. The Republic of Ireland need to get out of the blocks with a solid performance in their first competitive game on St. Patrick’s Day. Their second game will be away to 2014 Champions England in The New Saints FC, Oswestry while their penultimate game is at home in Killarney Celtic on April 14 against the Scots. The Republic of Ireland will be hoping to wrap up proceedings away to Wales on April 28.

Finn Harps hero BJ Banda has been named in the side as well as Ryan O’Donoghue who captained Our Lady’s SS, Belmullet to All Ireland success in the John Murphy Cup last month defeating Gaelcholáiste na Mara colleague Liam Scales in a cracking Cup tie decider. Returning from last season is goalkeeper Corey Chambers who studies at Gorey CS and Scoil Muire gan Smál, Blarney pupil Conor McCarthy. The duo enjoyed plenty of success last year so they will be hoping to feature strongly in the 2016 campaign for the Schools select. Confey College starlet Jamie Aherne had a splendid Interprovincial series and will be one to watch out for come match day.   

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: David COFFEY (Coláiste Muire, Cobh), Corey CHAMBERS (Gorey Community School, Wexford), Shane HANNEY (Clonkeen College), Ryan O’DONOGHUE (Our Lady’s SS, Belmullet), Darragh GIBBONS (St. Colmcille’s CS), Conor McCARTHY (Scoil Mhuire gan Smál, Blarney), Liam SCALES (Gaelcholáiste na Mara, Arklow), Killian BROUDER (Desmond College, Newcastle West), Conor KANE (Coláiste Phádraig, Lucan CBS), Gareth DOHERTY (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar), Eoghan MORGAN (Mount Temple Comprehensive School), Jessie STAFFORD LACEY (Mercy SS, Mounthawk, Tralee), Dylan GRIMES (Marino College), Adrian DELAP (Loreto CS, Milford), Kyle DOHERTY (Comeragh College, Carrick on Suir), Aaron DRINAN (Carrigaline CS), Jamie AHERNE (Confey College), BJ BANDA (Royal & Prior Comprehensive School, Raphoe)

MANAGEMENT: Paddy O’REILLY, Manager (Trinity Comprehensive School, Ballymun), Ollie HORGAN, Assistant Manager (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), William O’Connor, Coach (Scoil Mhuire SS, Buncrana), Conor FOLEY, GK Coach (Athlone Community College), Paul MASTERSON (Equipment Manager), John McSHANE, Coach/Video Analyst (Dublin Oak Academy, Bray), Mickey McGLYNN (Physiotherapist), Dr. Aidan O’COLMAIN (Team Doctor)

NORTHERN IRELAND: Reece KANE, Ronan WILSON, Adam McCRACKEN, Caolan MARRON, Karl HAMILL, Ryan NIMICK, Ronan YOUNG, Lloyd ANDERSON, David PARKHOUSE, Jonathan McCAW, Salou JALLOW, Patrick CAFOLLA, Matthew HENRY, Seán TOLAND, Reece NEALE, Joshua CONNERY, Nathaniel FERRIS, Jack FERGUSON, Michael KERR, Matthew SHEVLIN.

Inspiresport Centenary Shield FIXTURES

Friday, February 26   Scotland vs Northern Ireland in Lesser Hampden, Glasgow, KO 7pm

Friday, March 4          Northern Ireland vs England in Comber FC, KO 4pm

Thursday, March 17   Republic of Ireland vs Northern Ireland in Arklow Town FC, KO 1pm

Friday, March 18         Wales vs England in The Book People Stadium, Bangor City FC, KO 7pm

Thursday, March 24  Scotland vs Wales in Harlow Park, Inverurie Local Works FC, KO 7.30pm

Friday, April 1               England vs Scotland in Highbury Stadium, Fleetwood Town FC, KO 7pm

Friday, April 8              England vs Republic of Ireland in Park Hall Stadium, The New Saints FC, Oswestry, KO 7.30pm

Thursday, April 14      Republic of Ireland vs Scotland in Killarney Celtic FC, KO 7pm

Friday, April 15            Northern Ireland vs Wales

Thursday, April 28      Wales vs Republic of Ireland in Llandudno, KO 7pm

CENTENARY SHIELD ROLL OF HONOUR

ENDS