TALLAGHT STADIUM will play host to the final game in the Republic of Ireland's International School's calendar as Scotland travel to the Dublin venue for the conclusion of the Centenary Shield on Thursday next, April 24, 2014 (KO 7pm)
It should prove to be a pulsating tie as it's a must win for the visitors: The Scots pegged back England to a 1/1 draw at Ewood Park last Friday night: Therefore both teams could potentially share the Shield if the tartan army defeat the Irish
However the Republic of Ireland Manager, Ollie Horgan (St: Eunan's College) will be playing for pride as his title ambitions were dashed midway through the campaign:
Horgan's crew had a super start with a 3/0 win away to Wales at the beginning of March to kick start the challenge but the Northern Ireland contingency grabbed an injury time winner in Sligo on St: Patrick's Day to take full points (1/2):
The Republic of Ireland dusted themselves off as they travelled to Bristol for the penultimate game in this crucial decider: The green army staged a dramatic second half revival as they came back from a 3/1 deficit to draw 3/3 in the dying minutes of an action packed tie to share the spoils:
Unfortunately this wasn't enough to contend for the title as England took top spot on the league table following two wins and two draws:
Horgan would be delighted to finish the year with a win on home soil: Last year, saw the Irish win 2/0 in Aberdeen with goals from Comeragh College student Jack Doherty and St: Macartan's man Fearghal McMahon:
Previous encounters would indicate a closely fought game as the Republic of Ireland have recorded 5 draws, 3 wins and 2 defeats in the last ten years against Stewart Taylor's men:
The Republic of Ireland will be looking to the likes of Captain Ryan Manning who has been in outstanding form for the schools side lately: The Yeats College pupil has scored in all three competitive fixtures for Horgan:
Fellow Galway student Antaine O'Laoi (Colaiste Cholmcille) is pressing for a starting eleven position which will make team selection difficult for management trio Horgan, Archbold and O'Reilly
Manning's scoring prowess has been closely followed by Cork's Craig Donnellan and Athboy's Jamie McGrath who have both netted against Wales and England in spectacular fashion:
Lucan Community College star Darragh Gannon has showed huge potential at Shelbourne this season and made an impact featuring against England in that crunch decider
Roscrea's Coláiste Phobal youngster Val Feeney was capped last season for the Schools side and his experience has been vital in the Irish threat throughout this season's campaign:
Maynooth's Michael Brown has worked tirelessly for the Irish cause as has Colaiste Chairain, Leixlip lad Maxime Kouogum who would love to take all three points that's up for grabs:
Patrician College star Cian Kavanagh will be hoping to replicate similar form displayed by his sister Alex who featured in the Bob Docherty Cup during the week as he lines out for the Republic making it a wonderful week of International success in the Kavanagh household:
Horgan will have a difficult task in team selection as a number of players have impressed notably goalkeepers Killina's Patrick Dunican and Killaloe's Jack Brady when called into action:
The Ulster foursome of Darragh Black (Loreto CS, Milford), Chris Flanagan (St: Eunan's College, Letterkenny), George Kelly (Scoil Mhuire SS, Buncrana) and Aidan McCauley (Moville CC) will be looking for a starting eleven position for the final game of the season as well as newcomer Gary Boylan of Our Lady's SS, Belmullet who was drafted into the squad for the England encounter:
Celbridge duo Jack Bayly and Dylan Kavanagh have been playing well for Salesian College of late and are itching to take to the field against the Scots next week:
Will the Irish upset the odds for the Scots in Tallaght as the visitors go in search of a win and an opportunity to share the Shield this season with England:::: Or will England reign supreme with a win for Horgan's side:
Republic of Ireland Schools Squad:
Patrick Dunican (Killina Presentation School)
Christopher Flanagan (St: Eunan's College, Letterkenny)
Dylan Kavanagh (Salesian College, Celbridge)
Maxime Louogum (Coláiste Chairain, Leixlip)
Gary Boylan (Our Lady's SS, Belmullet)
Craig Donnellan (Coláiste Chríost Rí)
Val Feeney (Coláiste Phobal, Roscrea)
Cian Kavanagh (Patrician College, Finglas)
Jamie McGrath (Athboy Community School)
Jack Bayly (Salesian College, Celbridge)
Michael Browne (Maynooth Post Primary School)
Aidan McCauley (Moville Community College)
George Kelly (Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana)
Darragh Black (Loreto Community School, Milford)
Ryan Manning (Yeats College, Galway)
Jack Brady (St: Anne's Community College, Killaloe)
Antaine Ó Laoí (Coláiste Cholmcille, Galway)
Darragh Gannon (Lucan Community School)
CENTENARY SHIELD RESULTS
06:03:14 Scotland 1/1 Northern Ireland (East Fife)
06:03:14 Wales 0/3 Republic of Ireland (The Rock Cefn Druids)
14:03:14 Wales 1/2 England (Wrexham FC)
17:03:14 Republic of Ireland 1/2 Northern Ireland (Sligo Rovers FC)
20:03:14 Scotland 5/1 Wales (Hamilton FC)
28:03:14 England 3/3 Republic of Ireland (Bristol City FC)
04:04:14 Northern Ireland 3/5 England (Comber Rec)
11:04:14 England 1/1 Scotland (Blackburn Rovers FC)
16:04:14 Northern Ireland 5/1 Wales (Knockbreda)
CENTENARY SHIELD FIXTURES
24:04:14 Republic of Ireland v Scotland (Tallaght Stadium)
CENTENARY SHIELD TABLE (points calculated as of April 18, 2014)
P W D L F A PTS
England 4 2 2 0 11 8 8
Northern Ireland 4 2 1 1 11 8 7
Scotland 3 1 2 0 7 3 5
Republic of Ireland 3 1 1 1 7 5 4
Wales 4 0 0 4 3 25 0