Thursday, April 23, 2015
INSPIRESPORT CENTENARY SHIELD (U18 Boys)
Having secured the 2015 Inspiresport Centenary Shield last Friday in Sligo Rovers FC following a brilliant 1-0 win against reigning Champions, England, Paddy O’Reilly travels to Spartans FC to take on the Scots in the final game of the season later tonight (Thursday, April 23). The hugely anticipated encounter will kick off at 7pm on their state of the art 4G pitch.
A large number of travelling supporters are scheduled to attend the final fixture of the Centenary Shield as O’Reilly hopes to claim full points in their fourth and final encounter.
Currently the hosts lie second in the league table with three points captured in three games. It’s been a disappointing campaign this season for Steward Taylor’s crew. However they did enjoy an excellent win in their first outing as they defeated Wales 2-1 in a spirited display but suffered a 2-0 defeat to Northern Ireland and this was followed up a fortnight ago with a 3-0 lose to England which leaves them second from bottom heading into the finale.
O’Reilly who teaches in Ballymun had a fantastic introduction to his first year in charge of the Schools select. The energetic Manager has managed three wins from three and would love to end his campaign with another victory away from home. The Republic of Ireland welcomed their first victory at the hands of neighbours Northern Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day advancing 3-2 on the night. This was followed up by a win on home soil as Wales went down 2-1 in Ferrycarrig Park. The England encounter last week was a cracking game which saw a long range effort from Darragh Markey seal the victory for the Republic of Ireland.
Paddy will be the first to acknowledge the valuable experience and expertise from his comprehensive backroom staff. This includes Ollie Horgan, Head Coach. The Finn Harps mentor managed the Schools select for the last two seasons coming close in his first season at the helm. Dave Archbold, Assistant Manager this year was Manager back in 2010 when the boys last won the title with a narrow 1-0 win away to England in Burton Albion. Sean Carr was Manager in 2008 when he lead his side to Shield success with another closely fought 1-0 victory against the English in the Stadium of Light. Prior to that the Republic of Ireland secured titles back in 2003, 2004 and shared the honour with Northern Ireland in 2005.
O’Reilly may be given the luxury to experiment slightly with his team selection having already secured the title last week. The players will relish the opportunity to get some game time under their belt and end the 2015 season with full points. Can they rise to the Scottish challenge?
The only change to the Republic of Ireland panel that faced England is the lose of Clondalkin pupil Evan Osam, he makes way for Jason McClelland for this game. The Old Bawn Community School scholar missed the Irish derby due to injury and missed out on selection for the England game but he is back in the fray for this important outing.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS: Lee McCARRON (Crana College, Buncrana), Jason McCLELLAND (Old Bawn Community School) Conor McCARTHY (Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal), Paul MURPHY (Gorey Community School, Wexford), Dan TOBIN (CAPTAIN, Oatlands College, Mount Merrion), Darragh MARKEY (Colaiste Phadraig, Lucan CBS), Aaron ROBINSON (St. Benildus College, Stillorgan), Cian COLEMAN (Colaiste Chriost Rí, Cork), Ethan BOYLE (Wexford Vocational School), Connor ELLIS (Colaiste Pobail Bheanntrai),Conor MELODY (St. Joseph’s College, Galway),Daire O’CONNOR (Gaelcholaiste na Mara, Arklow) Dylan WATTS (Clonkeen College) Mark BUCKLEY (MICC Dunmanway), Corey CHAMBERS (Gorey Community School, Wexford), Seán McSWEENEY (Coláiste Mhuire, Askeaton), Nathan BENSON (Rockbrook Park School), Troy CAREY (St. Paul’s CBS, Brunswick St.)
MANAGEMENT: Paddy O’REILLY, Manager (Trinity Comprehensive School, Ballymun), Dave ARCHBOLD, Assistant Manager (Palmerstown Community School), Ollie HORGAN, Coach (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), Richard FITZGIBBON (GK Coach), Paul MASTERSON (Equipment Manager), William O’CONNOR, Video Analyst (Scoil Mhuire SS, Buncrana), Mickey McGLYNN (Physiotherapist), Dr. Aidan O’COLMAIN (Team Doctor)
Inspiresport Centenary Shield Results
27.02.15 England 2-0 Wales
05.03.15 Wales 1-2 Scotland
06.03.15 England 2-2 Northern Ireland
17.03.15 Northern Ireland 2-3 Republic of Ireland
26.03.15 Republic of Ireland 2-1 Wales
27.03.15 Northern Ireland 2-0 Scotland, Comber, 7pm
10.04.15 Scotland 0-3 England, Dumbarton, 7pm
17.04.15 Republic of Ireland 1-0 England, Showgrounds, Sligo Rovers FC, 7pm
17.04.15 Wales 1-4 Northern Ireland, Llanelli, 7pm
Inspiresport Centenary Shield Fixtures
23.04.15 Scotland vs Republic of Ireland, Spartans FC, 7pm
|
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
Pts |
|
Republic of Ireland |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
3 |
3 |
9 |
|
Northern Ireland |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
10 |
6 |
4 |
7 |
|
England |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
3 |
4 |
7 |
|
Scotland |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
-4 |
3 |
|
Wales |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
3 |
10 |
-7 |
0 |