Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Irish Schools entertain Australia
UNDER 18 BOYS’ INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY
The Republic of Ireland Schools will entertain Australia at Home Farm FC, Whitehall this Saturday, January 18 (2pm) for their first competitive outing of the year.
William O’Connor has selected an extended squad of 20 players following an exhaustive trialing process since the Interprovincial tournament last November.
The Balbriggan Community College tutor will keep a watchful eye on the students as he attempts to finalise his squad of sixteen players for the four Centenary Shield fixtures.
CENTENARY SHIELD
The Irish will kick off their campaign on March 19 at home to Scotland. April 3 will see them away to England while two weeks later, they take on Wales away. Their final game will be at home to Northern Ireland on April 23.
AUSSIE TOUR
The visitors will play a total of ten games in their two-week tour of the UK & Ireland. The Australian side played the Welsh Colleges this afternoon and are due to play Welsh Schools tomorrow.
HISTORY
Last season, two first half penalties coolly converted by St. Mary’s DS student Brandon Bermingham set the Republic of Ireland Schools on their way to a convincing 3-0 win. Oatlands College grad Jake Ellis added a third with a cracking finish on the hour mark to give William O’Connor’s side their first victory over Australia since 2010 and only the second time they have come out on top in eight recent meetings.
It was half-time substitute Hassan Jalloh (Arthur Phillip HS)who converted twice to ensure a 2-0 win in 2017.
In 2015, they shared the spoils with a 1-1 draw. Ireland took the lead courtesy of Georgie Poynton (Coláiste na hInse, Bettystown), as he ran onto an excellent through ball from Conor Ellis (Colaiste Pobail, Bheanntrai) and raced through to slot the ball past the advancing keeper Sam Brown.
Australia equalised on the hour mark. Matthew Millar got behind the home defence and as he shot, he was challenged by Dan Tobin (Oatlands College). The referee awarded a penalty for the challenge and Millar stepped up to stroke home from the penalty spot past the diving Corey Chambers (Gorey CS).
The Irish side lost 2-3 to the visitors back in 2012 but enjoyed their only win to the Australian’s in 2010 when the Republic recorded a 3-1 victory. Again in 2008, it ended 1-1. The Australian students have the bragging rights as they won narrowly in 2006 with a solitary goal and again in 2000 when they came out the other side of a seven-goal thriller, earning themselves a 3-4 victory.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND PROVISIONAL SQUAD | Gabriel ADEBAMBO (De La Salle College, Dundalk),Adam LENNON (Athlone Community School), Seán McEVOY (Virginia College, Cavan), Adam VERNON (Gaelcholáiste Reachrann, Donaghmede), Eoghan O’SULLIVAN (Coláiste Cois Life, Lucan), Luke RUDDEN (Carndonagh Community School), Daniel COX (St. Joseph’s College, Galway), Patrick FERRY (Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair), Cillian HEANEY (Rice College, Westport), Brian AHERN (Hazelwood College, Dromcollogher), Eoin FARRELL (Ardscoil na Tríonóide, Athy), Patrick McGARVEY (Rosses Community School, Dungloe), Cian KELLY (Old Bawn Community School, Tallaght), Charlie CONCANNON (Yeats College, Galway), Joe POWER (Presentation College, Bray), Kyle ROBINSON (Coláiste Phadráig, Lucan CBS), Rob WALSH (Glanmire Community College), Andrew QUINN (Dunshaughlin Community College), Adam McCARRON (Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana), Mark HANRATTY (Lusk Community College)
MANAGEMENT | William O’CONNOR, Head Coach (Balbriggan Community College), John McSHANE, Assistant Coach (Dublin Oak Academy, Bray), Ollie HORGAN, Performance Analyst (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), Conor FOLEY, GK Coach (Athlone Community College), Michael McGLYNN (Physio), Dr. Aidan O’COLMAIN (Team Doctor), Derek O’BRIEN, Equipment Manager (Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore)
ROLL OF HONOUR
2019 Republic of Ireland 3-0 Australia (W)
2017 Republic of Ireland 0-2 Australia (L)
2015 Republic of Ireland 1-1 Australia (D)
2012 Republic of Ireland 2-3 Australia (L)
2010 Republic of Ireland 3-1 Australia (W)
2008 Republic of Ireland 1-1 Australia (D)
2006 Republic of Ireland 0-1 Australia (L)
2000 Republic of Ireland 3-4 Australia (L)
CENTENARY SHIELD
Thursday, March 19 Republic of Ireland vs Scotland Home Farm FC
Friday, April 3 England vs Republic of Ireland Spennymoor Town FC
Thursday, April 16 Wales vs Republic of Ireland Caernarvon
Thursday, April 23 Republic of Ireland vs Northern Ireland Maginn Park
END