inspiresport Centenary Shield | Under 18 Boys’ International
Thursday, April 21, 2022
Centenary Shield concludes tonight with Wales entertaining Irish for title
The Republic of Ireland Schools will go head to head with league toppers Wales in the conclusion of the 2022 inspiresport Centenary Shield tonight in Caernarfon FC.
A draw will be enough for the hosts to lift the title, something they haven’t managed to accomplish since 1981. Previous to that, they held the title in 1977 and 1975.
The Welsh will be hoping that home advantage and their inspirational form will continue as they kick off proceedings at 7pm.
Marc Williams’ crew enjoyed some splendid victories in this year’s campaign with a fantastic four one result against England last week. They had previously beaten a strong Scottish side 2-0 away from home a fortnight ago while they had a bumpy start with a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Northern Ireland in Belfast in their first outing.
John McShane’s side remain unbeaten in the competition, a win tonight and they lift the Shield as they trail Wales by a point.
The Republic of Ireland Schools select enjoyed a 2-1 victory over Scotland on St. Patrick’s Day. The Irish scholars had to come from a goal down as Che Reilly converted within a quarter of an hour. A goal in each half courtesy of Lennon GILL and Michael RAGGETT was enough to see them secure the full three points on offer. McShane’s side followed this up with a hard fought 2-2 draw against Northern Ireland in Maginn Park. Leon AYINDE getting the 94th minute goal to draw his side level and grab a valuable point with Michael McCullagh’s penalty giving them a lifeline in the second half after trailing 2-0 at the break. The Republic of Ireland then picked up a crucial point away to England a fortnight ago with a one all draw. Lennon GILL had given the Irish the lead just before the break before substitute Bailey Hall equalised near the hour mark.
St. Gerald’s College, Castlebar scholar Aaron HEANEY retains his position in the squad replacing the injured Charlie O’BRIEN (Pobalscoil na Trionóide, Youghal) who captained the side against Northern Ireland.
We also see the return of Castlebar student Darragh REILLY as he missed the English outing due to exams.
A very unique sight for most Schools is to have two Schools Internationals in their ranks and this season we see Coláiste Bhaile Chlair, St. Benildus College and St. Gerald’s College, Castlebar achieve this with the squad selection on offer this evening. Claregalway’s duo include David TARMEY & Michael McCULLAGH, Stillorgan have Kieran CRUISE & Lennon GILL lining out while Castlebar pupils include Aaron HEANEY and Darragh REILLY.
Wicklow native John McShane is in his debut season with the squad having taken over the helm from William O’Connor. Indeed O’Connor won the Shield back in 2018 when he was in his first year in charge so hopefully faith will repeat itself tonight.
The Republic of Ireland joined the Centenary Shield in 2003 and have won the title a total of seven times (2003, 2004, 2005*, 2008, 2010, 2015, 2018) *Share w/Northern Ireland in 2005.
This year it’s been one of the closest contests with some surprise results in the nine match series to date. Most notably the empathic results for the Welsh in recent weeks.
England fielded an overage player in two of their four games and were deducted points as a result which see them at the bottom of the table despite two wins, one draw and a defeat.
The game will be live on the BBC iplayer; https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/football/59617246
A must win for the Republic of Ireland if they’re to secure top spot this season.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS |Eanna CLANCY (St. Clare’s Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton), Steven HEALY (Calasanctius College, Oranmore), John O’DONOVAN (Clonakilty Community College), Leon AYINDE (Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh, Cork), Alex HEALY BYRNE (Glanmire Community College), Zach DUNNE (Presentation Brothers College, Cork), Oisín COLEMAN (St. Mary’s College, Dundalk), Michael RAGGETT (St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny), Michael KEYES (Malahide Community School), Tadhg WALSH (St. Joseph’s CBS, Fairview), Michael McCULLAGH & David TARMEY (both Coláiste Bhaile Chláir), Kieran CRUISE & Lennon GILL (both St. Benildus College, Stillorgan), Darragh REILLY & Aaron HEANEY (both St. Gerald’s College, Castlebar), Reece BYRNE (Oatlands College), Jack ROSS (Presentation College, Bray)
MANAGEMENT | John McSHANE, Head Coach (Dublin International School), Derek O’BRIEN, Coach (Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore) Ollie HORGAN, Coach (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), Conor FOLEY, GK Coach (Athlone Community College), Martin CAVANAGH, Equipment Manager (Carndonagh Community School), Michael McGLYNN (Physio), Dr. Aidan O’COLMAIN (Team Doctor)
WALES | Ifan Knott, Harvey Sing, Caio Evans, Shaiyon Johnson, Louis Holden, Gruffudd Ellis, Jake Morris, Joshua James Williams, Jasper Payne, James Dolman, Louis Parr, Gabe Kircough, Roan Piper, Ethan Hayes, Joshua Stanley Willians, Harrison Page, Daniel Schuchardt, Tyrone Cadeau
2022 inspiresport Centenary Shield
Results
Thursday, March 3 Scotland 3-2 Northern Ireland Renfrew FC
Thursday, March 10 Northern Ireland 3-0 Wales H&W Welders FC
Thursday, March 17 Republic of Ireland 2-1 Scotland Home Farm FC, Whitehall
Friday, March 25 Northern Ireland 1-2 England H&W Welders FC
Thursday, March 31 Republic of Ireland 2-2 Northern Ireland Maginn Park, Buncrana
Friday, April 1 England 4-0 Scotland Spennymoor Town FC
Thursday, April 7 Scotland 0-2 Wales Annan Athletic FC
Friday, April 8 England 1-1 Republic of Ireland Eastleigh FC
Thursday, April 14 Wales 4-1England Llansawel FC
Fixtures
Thursday, April 21 Wales vs Republic of Ireland Caernarfon FC
All fixtures kick-off at 7pm
2022 inspiresport Centenary Shield Table
|
POSITION |
PLD |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
PTS |
|
Wales |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
4 |
6 |
|
Republic of Ireland |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
|
Northern Ireland |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
8 |
7 |
4 |
|
Scotland |
4 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
4 |
10 |
3 |
|
England |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
6 |
1 * |
Table as of April 14, 2022 * Points deducted for England – overage player