The Republic of Ireland Schools began their defence of the Centenary Shield with a 2-2 draw in the first ever soccer international played in Killarney, which Celtic Park the host venue:
In the build up to the game John Mountney was forced to pull out with a knee injury and Tralee Dynamos Adam Piggott, who had been on stand/by, was called into the squad:
The visitors raced into the lead inside the first minute when following a long throw from Kristian Jenkins Dan Gibbon looped the ball over Irish keeper Greg Murray: Wales were on top in all the opening exchanges and could have been 3/0 up inside the opening 20 minutes: Jon Dunn had a flick on at the near post cleared off the line, they had a goal disallowed for offside and following a defensive mix/up Greg Murray in the Irish goal was forced to make a great save from Jon Dunn who was through one on one on the keeper:
Ireland did create some half chances with Michael Barker going on a mazy run and slipping a ball through to Chris Lyons who was denied by the out rushing Luke Martin: Garbhan Coughlan was beginning to get into the game and his slide rule pass to Lyons was just cut out but is was a sign of things to come from the excellent Limerick FC player:
And it was the same player that got Ireland back into the game in the 24th minute: Lyons put in a cross to Coughlan on the edge of the box and in one movement he swivelled and volleyed the ball to the back of the net:
1/1 became 2/1 to the Irish in the 32nd minute when the same player got onto the end of a pass from Stephen Chambers and slipped the ball to the back of the net:
Wales were living off set pieces and long throws from Jenkins to try and get themselves back into the game but the Irish defence had tightened up on this ploy:
The home side went in 2/1 in front at the break but as in the first half were caught with a sucker punch inside two minutes of the second period: A good Welsh move ended in a corner and when this broke out to Gethin Maxwell on the edge of the box he powered an unstoppable shot to the back of the Irish net to level the game:
Both sides were now really going for the win and some wonderful expansive football was played by both teams:
Wales almost took the lead in the 69th minute when a Jenkens header came off the top of the crossbar: At the other end Coughlan thought he had his hat trick and had the ball in the net but the flag was up for off side:
Ireland made a number of changes with Hugh Douglas, Gary Merrit and Billy Lane catching the eye after coming off the bench: Douglas is a big strong lad, who was on the team last year and won a lot of ball in the middle which the others fed off:
However neither side was able to make the breakthrough that would have seen them take all three points and so it finished honours even in Killarney before a crowd over well over 1100:
Republic of Ireland: Greg Murray, Michael Barker, Colm McLauglin, Niall Cooney, Ryan McLoughlin, James Kavanagh, Colm Horgan, Stephen Chambers, Garbhan Coughlan, Chris Lyons, Paul Mannion:
Subs used: Ryan Mathews, Gary Merritt, Billy Lane, Hugh Douglas:
Not Used: Paul White, Adam Piggott, Conor Keddy,
Wales: Luke Martin, Adam Biddiscombe, Jake Parry, Kristian Jenkins, Sam Rodon, Daniel Gibbon, James McDaid, Gethin Maxwell, Kai Jones, Jon Dunn, Ryan Newman:
Subs used: Adam Davies, Dion Donoghue, Troy Greening:
Not used: Jamie Davis, Jon Dowd, Iwan Price:
Referee: Seamus O'Mahoney,
Assistants: Brian Healy and Simon Driaghai:
Fourth Official: Tom Templeman: