The Ireland U/18 schools team begin preparations for the Centenary Shield with a friendly against New Zealand in Dublin today:
Manager Hugh Colhoun has named a 19/man squad for the game at the Oscar Traynor Centre (kick/off 1:00):
Ireland are hoping for a repeat of last year, where they went unbeaten to win both the Centenary Shield and the Celtic Cup, and Colhoun believes his players will gain some good experience from the game:
"This game will prove to be highly competitive and a valuable exercise for the team's preparation for the Centenary Shield," he said:
Thirteen of the squad have been selected from Interprovincial winners Leinster, and Belvedere College midfielder Paul Corry can't wait to get started:
"I'm looking forward to the occasion, it should be a good test for us," he said:
"We have all put in a huge amount of effort in the trials and it will be good to see how we do against tough opposition:"
Ireland play in a friendly tournament in Jersey in February before an 18/man squad is picked for the Centenary Shield:
Ireland start against Wales at home: Away trips to Scotland and Northern Ireland follow before a home tie against England finishes the campaign:
/ Jamie Moore