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The Boys U18 Schools International team will play host to Scotland on Good Friday (2 April) at Finn Park, Ballybofey in Ireland’s penultimate fixture of their Centenary Shield campaign (KO 7pm):
Dave Archbold’s team clinched victory over a determined Welsh outfit last week which saw them claim a valuable three points:
Archbold will be hoping the momentum gained from this crucial win will be carried forward on Friday as they face Scotland in a must win game for the Irish:
Scotland are venturing well in the campaign with two games played which sees them a point ahead of Ireland: The Scots drew 1/1 to Northern Ireland away and a nail/biting encounter with the Welsh saw them gain a narrow 3/2 victory at home:
Ireland had a nervous start to their season’s campaign with a narrow 1/0 defeat to Northern Ireland on St: Patrick’s Day: The lads regrouped and found some form as they travelled to Wales to secure their first points in the competition:
Archbold is well away of the threat posed by the tartan army with their impressive performance in the Centenary Shield thus far: The Irish only drew with the Scots last season and will be looking for the experienced players to raise their game on Friday as they face their toughest test yet:
Gary Shaw, Jason Dwane, Robbie Benson and Tomas Boyle all performed well last week and will be hoping to continue their winning ways:
The Irish will be strengthened by the fact that they can call upon the services of their outstanding auxiliary players when required: This was very evident in the Welsh game when Daragh Walshe, Stephen Chambers, Tom O’Halloran and Barry O’Mahony were all introduced in the second half and all performing exceptional well:
Archbold will have a difficult decision to make as he prepares to announce his starting eleven ahead of the big match: All eighteen playing are fighting for the opportunity to start which is a huge plus for their manager:
Manager, Dave Archbold stated: “The lads commitment has been second to none throughout the season and we’re hoping that they give 100% when called upon against Scotland”:
Sean Brosnan who was drafted into the squad for the Welsh game will remain with the team having impressed the manager with a gallant performance: The Castleisland native played an influential role in Ireland’s victory over the Welsh having scored the only goal of the game to keep Ireland’s title hopes alive:
Ireland are definitely optimistic of their title aspirations: Assistant Manager, Ollie Horgan said: "We need this win and the team are well aware that a victory on Friday will set our title hopes back on track”:
Northern Ireland, Scotland and England are currently top of the leader board on 4 points each however Scotland and England have a game in hand:
It will be anxious times for Ireland as Scotland and England face off against each other on 23 April: A week later will see Ireland away to England on 30 April in Burton Albion in the final game of the Centenary Shield:
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND PANEL: Marty McGinty (Deele College), Josh Byrne (De La Salle), Brian Nolan (St Paul's CC), Nathan Murphy (Colaiste Ris); Jason Dwane (St: Peter's College), Tomas Boyle (Salesian College), Daryl Horgan (St: Enda's College, Galway), Barry O'Mahony (Summerhill College), Sean Skelly (St: Joseph's Fairview), Tom O'Halloran (Athlone CC), Daragh Walshe (St: Kieran's College), Sean Brosnan (St: Patrick’s SS, Castleisland) , Niall Cooney (Templeogue College), Gary Shaw (Patrician SS) Stephen Chambers (St: Fintan's), Jake Carroll (Confey CC, Leixlip), Hugh Douglas (St: Brendan’s College), Robbie Benson (Marist College)
MANAGEMENT: Dave Archbold, Manager (Palmerstown Community School), Ollie Horgan, Assistant Manager (St: Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), Hugh Colhoun, Coach (St: Laurence College, Loughlinstown), Ian Carry, GK Coach (FAI Schools Development Officer), Mickey McGlynn (Physiotherapist), Dr: Aidan Colmain (Doctor)