The Republic of Ireland U18 Boys Schools team will play host to England in Tallaght Stadium on Thursday, April 28 in the final game of the Centenary Shield campaign (KO 7:35pm)
The final squad has been confirmed which sees the return of St: Benildus star Paul Mannion who has recovered from a broken wrist sustained in a schools Senior Cup game six weeks ago: The Home Farm player will definitely be a welcome addition to the panel having missed out on Ireland’s last two Centenary challenges:
Manager Dave Archbold (Palmerstown CS) will be hoping Carndonagh skipper Ryan McLaughlin can rally his troops to victory for the first win of their campaign:
Crescent Comprehensive College student Garbhan Coughlan has been instrumental this season for Archbold’s side as his two goals against Wales ensured a valuable point in the opening game of the season to share the spoils with Wales (2/2): Unfortunately club commitments with Limerick FC will see the youngster miss out on the final International of the series as his club plays host to Athlone Town on Friday night:
The second of Ireland’s matches saw them travel to Glentoran’s home ground on St: Patrick’s Day as they lost out to their rivals Northern Ireland 2/0 in a disappointing display of football:
A fortnight later, Ireland could only manage another draw in Drumfries as host nation Scotland came from a goal behind to level proceedings 1/1 on April Fools’ Day:
Hugh Douglas was the goal scorer that day and the management will be hoping the physical presence of the Bray native will give the Irish another dimension to the Republic’s attacking prowess as they face England in two weeks time:
The hosts will be looking to Bohemian’s Stephen Chambers to bring the experienced gained at topflight football to the fold:
U17 International Colm Horgan will also be an absentee in Tallaght on Thursday night having picked up an injury: Eric Molloy of Tullow Community School has been drafted in as a valid replacement: Molloy may be given the opportunity to shine as will other local hopefuls Michael Barker, Ryan Matthews and Chris Lyons: The quartet has been in impressive form when called upon and should all be in contention for a starting eleven position:
Buncrana’s Mark Timlin retains a place having been called into the squad for the Northern Ireland and Scotland encounters: While neighbouring Scoil Mhuire teenager Colm McLaughlin has been included in the panel since the start:
The trio of Gary Merritt of Finn Harps, Billy Lane and John Mountney (both Mervue United) will also be hoping for bigger things as they missed out on the trip to Drumfries:
On the other hand, Dubliner’s Niall Cooney and Chris Lyons have been very consist for Archbold’s style of play and will be looking at an eye on retaining a starting eleven spot:
The goalkeeping position will be between Castleisland Community College’s Paul White and Phobailscoil Iosolde, Palmerstown’s Greg Murray with the latter edging the first team line up thus far:
It will be a tough call for the management team as Archbold, Colhoun and Horgan make the call for selection hoping that injury concerns won’t play a major part in their decision making process:
Unfortunately the Republic are not in contention to retain the coveted title as Northern Ireland and Scotland shared the spoils following Scotland’s one nil win to England last Thursday:
The final game of the season will be a tantalising tie as Ireland goes in search of a home win and a first for the season: Both sides will be playing for pride this time around as things kick off in Tallaght: The game will be live on Sky Sports with a 7:35pm start:
Tickets for the Republic of Ireland v England Schools game cost €5 adults and €2 students, and are available from Diane Fay, FAI Schools or by calling 01 8999 522 (office), or e/mail: diane:fay@fai:ie
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Paul WHITE (Castleisland Community College), Greg MURRAY (Phobailscoil Iosolde, Palmerstown), Michael BARKER (Fingal Community College), Conor KEDDY (Carndonagh Community School), Ryan MCLAUGHLIN (Carndonagh Community School), Niall COONEY (Templeogue College), Ryan MATTHEWS (Clonkeen College, Blackrock), Colm MCLAUGHLIN (Scoil Mhuire SS, Buncrana), Gary MERRITT (Loreto Community School, Milford), Eric MOLLOY (Tullow Community School), Stephen CHAMBERS (St: Fintan’s High School), John MOUNTNEY (St: Mureduch’s College, Ballina), Mark TIMLIN (Scoil Mhuire SS, Buncrana), Paul MANNION (St: Benildus College, Stillorgan), Liam MARTIN (Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town), Billy LANE (Presentation College, Athenry), Chris LYONS (Presentation, Bray), Hugh DOUGLAS (St: Brendan’s College, Bray)
MANAGEMENT: Dave Archbold, Manager (Palmerstown Community School), Ollie Horgan, Coach (St: Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), Hugh Colhoun, Coach (St: Laurence College, Loughlinstown), Ian Carry (GK Coach), Mickey McGlynn (Physiotherapist), Dr: Aidan Colmain (Doctor)
England:Josh Hart (GK), Thomas Boakye, Josh Glover, Cliff Moyo, Jamie Summers, Jordan Ayris, Jack Wood, Connor Thompson, Jack Sherratt, Alex Meaney, Jonathan Barden
Subs:Jack Vallis, Josh White, Johnny Evans, Fabio Goncalves De Abreu, Scott Cheetham, Ed Baldy, Tom Hurley
END