The U18 FAI Schools (Boys) will start this year’s campaign on Thursday evening, 26 February in Ferrycarrig Park, Wexford when they take on Wales in the Carnegie Centenary Shield (KO 7pm):
This will be the first competitive fixture in the competition for Manager, Hugh Colhoun this year: He will be hoping that home advantage will give the boys the edge they need to overcome a strong Welsh side: Ireland had a 2/1 victory away to Wales last season and should be positive heading into this crunch encounter:
Jason Hughes (CBS Sexton St: Limerick) and Philip Knight (Clonteen College, Blackrock) have been included in the squad this year: Their experience in the competition will be vital as both players were capped last season and had a major influence in capturing the Celtic Cup and Centenary Shield in 2008:
Another experienced youngster in the squad is Galway’s Ger Hanley, St: Joseph’s College: Ger has came through the ranks at underage level and is currently featured in Sean McCaffrey’s U19 squad:
In preparation for the Carnegie Centenary Shield, the Irish have played two friendly matches: The team drew 2/2 with New Zealand in December and lost narrowly, 2/1 to Northern Ireland in a friendly invitational tournament in Jersey earlier this month: Colhoun sent out an experimental side to face the Northerners and took alot of positives from the game:
"I suppose we're disappointed with the result, but it was a good learning experience for us ahead of playing Northern Ireland in the Centenary Shield," said Colhoun:
The Republic of Ireland will be hoping to make an impact in Wexford as they have two difficult away ties coming up to Scotland on March 13 and Northern Ireland March 20: The final game of the series for Ireland will see them host England at the RSC, Waterford on April 24: