CARNEGIE CENTENARY SHIELD
Republic defeat Northern Ireland
23 March 2009
Republic of Ireland 2-0 Northern Ireland
The U18 FAI Schools (Boys) put two goals past Northern Ireland in their penultimate game of the Carnegie Centenary Shield on Friday last (20 March) in Riada Stadium, Ballymoney to secure a valuable three points.
The Republic of Ireland started strongly with early pressure applied courtesy of Gary Burke. The Larkin Community College youngster was causing real problems for the Northern Ireland defence.
The first goal scoring opportunity fell at the feet of Man of the Match Shane Howard. With 15 minutes on the clock, Garvan Broughall sent a through ball into the box for Howard to connect with, his effort just glancing the woodwork and into the side netting.
The Republic’s reign on proceeding continued and Heil Harney had three long throws in a row which caused concern for the North’s back four. Unfortunately the Republic couldn’t capitalise on the set pieces that followed.
Jason Hughes was solid defending a number of Northern Ireland attacks, this unluckily gave rise to a number of free kicks close to the Republic’s box but keeper Aaron McCarey had his wall and last line of defence well placed and the chances were wasted.
Colhoun’s men dominated the first half proceedings and were rewarded after twenty minutes when Paul Corry whipped the ball into the net from an acute angle to finish superbly.
The Republic increased the tempo of the game and Northern Ireland found themselves with little or no time on the ball as their counterparts controlled midfield.
The second half saw the introduction of Robert Benson. The Athlone native made an immediate impact on the game as he registered Ireland’s second goal. Garvan Broughall lashed a ball over the top for Benson to strike and crash the ball past keeper Niall Morgan.
Colhoun’s team pressed forward and forced the North into uncharacteristic errors all over the field.
Shane Howard went close on a number of occasions but was just wide of the mark. Gary Burke had some wonderful runs down the wing but his pace was matched by defender James Peden who intercepted the final ball.
Manager, Colhoun introduced a number of substitutes in the second half including Waterford’s Brian Nolan, Donegal’s Cillian Morrison and Sligo’s Danny Fallon.
Morrison was unlucky not to capitalise on good work from Jason Hughes when his effort went over the crossbar in injury time.
The comprehensive victory leaves the Republic well placed at the top of the table with only one game left to play. Ireland will host England at the RSC, Waterford on Friday 24 April. This game will be live on Sky Sports KO 7.35pm.
Ireland will watch patiently as England take on Northern Ireland on Friday, 27 March at Macclesfield Town while their other competitive fixture will see them play Scotland away on 17 April.
Republic of Ireland: Aaron McCarey St. Macartan’s College, Neil Harney St. Aloysius College, Ian Storan Crescent College Comprehensive, Garvan Broughall Athlone Community College, Tomas Boyle Salesian College, Gary Burke Larkin Community College, Jason Hughes Limerick CBS, Paul Corry Belvedere College, Jimmy Keohane CBS Kilkenny, Shane Howard Colaiste Eoin, Carl Forsyth Cabinteely Community School.
Subs: Robbie Benson Marist College (45) for James Keohane, Brian Nolan St. Paul’s Community College (60) for Tomas Boyle, Cillian Morrison St. Eunan’s College for Carl Forsyth (88), Danny Fallon Sancta Maria College for Paul Corry (90), David Quirke St. Patrick’s College, Eoin Hanrahan Limerick CBS, Eoghan Osborne Colaiste Ris.
CARNEGIE CENTENARY SHIELD TABLE 2008/09
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
England 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 3
Northern Ireland 2 1 0 1 2 3 -1 3
Scotland 2 0 1 1 2 3 -1 1
Wales 2 0 0 2 1 6 -5 0
END