Centenary Shield | U18 Boys’ International
Press Release: Thursday, April 6, 2017
Scottish test too much for Irish scholars
Scotland 1-0 Republic of Ireland
Kyle Banner (10)
The Republic of Ireland’s winning streak came to an end in Renfrew FC tonight with a solidarity goal from their Captain Kyle Bonner ten minutes in as they faced the Scots in their penultimate game of the Inspiresport Centenary Shield.
The Irish students were heading into this game on the back of two late wins against Wales and Northern Ireland which saw them sit top of the leader board. Scotland on the other hand were finishing their campaign with a home fixture which they desperately wanted to win.
A well worked set piece from a corner saw Calvin McGrory pin point Banner who dispatched past Irish goalkeeper Bell for the opener which proved the most decisive move of the game.
Substitute goalkeeper Ross Connelly was introduced at half time and his heroic display ensured a clean sheet for the tartan army and a full three points to end their season on a high.
Three games remain in the Shield as Wales host Northern Ireland in Cardiff next Wednesday. The Northerners have been reenergised with a magnificent 4-1 victory away to England last month as well as a late winner with Scotland to see them on six points with the Republic and Scotland now. Their final game in this contest will be of interest as O’Reilly’s crew watch on. The Welsh have lost against Scotland and the Republic and need some much needed points in their endeavours this season as they host reigning Champions England in the final game of the series on April 21 in Bristol.
The Republic of Ireland will dust themselves down as they have a quick turnaround when they face England this Thursday in Home Farm FC. A must win for O’Reilly’s side if he is to keep his title ambitions alive and cause an upset for the defending Champions.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND |Jamie BELL (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar), James CARROLL (St. Oliver’s Community College, Drogheda), Darryl WALSH (St. Declan’s Community College, Waterford), Evan MURPHY (St. Enda’s College, Salthill), Alec BYRNE (Carrigaline Community School), John MAHON (Coola Post Primary School), John MARTIN (Presentation De La Salle, Bagenalstown) (Captain), Ronan MANNING (Calasanctius College, Oranmore), Connor GORMLEY (Loreto Community School, Milford), Conor LAYNG (Athlone Community College), Steven NOLAN (St. Aidan’s CBS, Whitehall)
SUBS USED | Neill BYRNE (Dunshaughlin Community College), Seán McBRIDE (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar), Seán McDONALD (Clonkeen College, Blackrock), Tunmise SOBOWALE (Mount Sion CBS, Waterford)
SUBS NOT USED | Paul MARTIN (Presentation De La Salle, Bagenalstown), Vinny QUINLAN (Gorey Community School), Jack RYAN (Templeogue College)
SCOTLAND | Ronan Fallens, Kyle Banner (Captain), John Kelly, Luc Bollan, Calvin McGroary, Euan O’Reilly, Cameron Ballantyne, Adam Brown, Matthew Reilly, George Stanger, Jamie Chapman
SUBS | Ross Connelly for Fallens (HT), Nathan Brown for Stanger, Cieran Dunne for A Brown (65), Robbie Bruce for Ballantyne (89), Adam Kirkwood for Reilly (90) Kieran Sweeney
2017 Centenary Shield
Results
February 16 Republic of Ireland 2-1 Wales Home Farm FC, Whitehall (2.30pm)
March 2 Northern Ireland 1-2 Republic of Ireland Bangor Fuels Arena, Bangor FC (3pm)
March 3 Scotland 1-5 England Cappielow Park, Greenock (7pm)
March 17 Wales 1-5 Scotland Bala FC (7pm)
March 24 England 1-4 Northern Ireland Torquay United FC (7pm)
March 31 Northern Ireland 2-1 Scotland Cliftonville, Belfast (3pm)
April 6 Scotland 1-0 Republic of Ireland Renfrew Park (7pm)
Fixtures
April 12 Wales vs Northern Ireland Cardiff Metropolitan University FC (7pm)
April 13 Republic of Ireland vs England Home Farm FC, Whitehall (7pm)
April 21 England vs Wales Bristol Rovers FC (7pm)