The RSC in Waterford will play host to the Republic of Ireland (U18 Boys) Schools team as they take on England in the final game of the Carnegie Centenary Shield on Friday, 24 April, 2009 which will be live on Sky Sports 2 (KO 7:35pm):
The Republic of Ireland under the leadership of Manager, Hugh Colhoun have been very successful in this competition to date and remain unbeaten with victories over Northern Ireland and Wales while drawing with Scotland this season:
The Irish are optimistic about this crunch encounter having beaten the English 1/0 last season in the impressive Stadium of Light to capture the prestigious title:
“There is never any trouble motivating the lads for the England game because it becomes the benchmark each season” says Colhoun, “we have had some cracking games over the last number of years and I have no doubt that this game will be no different”
In the last ten meetings between the two sides; Ireland has enjoyed the upper hand, losing only once in 1995: In the intervening period Ireland beat England six times while drawing three times: With this track record Ireland will be hoping for victory in their biggest test to date:
Colhoun has faith in the squad’s ability to overcome the English but he has made three minor changes with the introduction of the experienced goalkeeper Gerard Hanley replacing David Quirke and Donegal’s Cillian Morrison and Mayo’s Danny Fallon making a welcome return for Eoghan Osborne and Eoin Hanrahan: Both Fallon and Morrison have been part of the schools setup prior to this game and will relish the opportunity awarded to them:
The Schools team received a huge boost when seven members of the side, namely, James Keohane, Paul Corry, Shane Howard, Andrew Boyle, Jason Dwane, Jason Hughes and Ian Storan were selected on the Republic of Ireland U18 squad who travelled to Larnaca last week to play Cyprus in two friendly matches: This experience at International level should give the boys the edge their need to overcome an impressive English selection:
England will prove worthy opposition for the Irish having last captured the Centenary Shield in 2002 and the side are hungry to avenge their defeat of last season: England however have to focus on their match with Scotland tonight (17 April) at St: Mirren FC in their penultimate game of the competition which is live on Sky Sports 2 KO 7:35pm: It is imperative that England win if they are to have any aspirations of lifting the Carnegie Centenary Shield this season after they slipped up in their last match, a 1/0 defeat at home to Northern Ireland, in what was a poor performance by the young lions:
Scotland currently lie bottom of the table after they lost 1/0 to fellow strugglers Wales 1/0 at Port Talbot Town FC on 2 April: England can expect a competitive performance from hosts Scotland as they will be keen to avoid finishing the season propping up the table:
Another interesting tie for the Republic of Ireland is the Wales v Northern Ireland clash which is scheduled for Monday, 20 April in Colwyn Bay: Northern Ireland are just one point behind the Republic with the final game a must win for Colhoun’s men:
A busy week of football ahead with all to play for with the Republic of Ireland, England and Northern Ireland still in the running for the ultimate prize:
Tickets for the Republic of Ireland v England game cost €5 adults and €2 students, and are available from Mairead Collins, FAI Schools International Secretary, by calling 087 954 8661 (mobile), or e/mail: secfais@oceanfree:net
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Aaron MCCAREYSt: Macartan’s College, Neil HARNEY St: Aloysius College, Ian STORAN Crescent College Comprehensive, Garvan BROUGHALL Athlone Community College, Tomas BOYLE Salesian College, Jason HUGHES CBS Sexton Street, Limerick, Gary BURKE Larkin Community College, Paul CORRY Belvedere College,Carl FORSYTH Cabinteely Community School, Shane HOWARD Colaiste Eoin, Hacketstown, Carlow, Brian GAFFNEY St: Joseph’s College, Galway Andrew BOYLE Colaiste Phadraig CBS, Lucan, James KEOHANE CBS Kilkenny Jason DWANE St: Peter’s College, Dunboyne, Robert BENSON Marist College, Athlone, Gerard HANLEY St: Joseph’s College, Galway, Danny FALLON Sancta Maria College, Cillian MORRISON St: Eunan’s College, Letterkenny
| Carnegie Centenary Shield Table 2008/2009 | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
| Republic of Ireland | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 7 |
| Northern Ireland | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| England | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Wales | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | /4 | 3 |
| Scotland | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | /2 | 1 |
| Placings are calculated on points only as of 6 April | ||||||||
END