SAFIB hummel Centenary Shield | Under 18 Boys’ International
Monday, March 27, 2023
Republic of Ireland 1-3 England
Peter Grogan (43) Jacob Towns (10), Luke Salter (16, 70)
John McShane’s side suffered a disappointing defeat to England in Athlone Town AFC on Friday night (March 24).
In the penultimate outing for the Republic of Ireland, they were missing Ryan McBREARTY (St. Mary’s Diocesan School, Drogheda) and Senan MULLEN (St. Aidan’s Comprehensive School, Cootehill) due to injury. This saw James LUKAU (Merlin College, Galway) and Mark O’HALLARON (Clarin College, Athenry) drafted in as late replacements.
The visitors were lining out for the first time in the Centenary Shield campaign and made a bright start to proceedings which saw them one up inside 10 minutes when Jacob TOWNS slotted past Delaney.
The English lead was doubled seven minutes later when Luke SALTER converted.
Brian Cunningham produced a fantastic run down the right wing and forced English keeper James Taylor into an excellent save on 21 minutes. While Adam O’Halloran had a set-piece that was wide of the mark with ten minutes of the first half remaining.
The Irish grabbed a lifeline just before the interval when Captain Peter GROGAN walked through the English defence to dink the ball over the goalkeeper at the near post from an acute angle.
Despite Ireland creating plenty of chances in the first forty-five, it was England that went two-one up at the break.
Unfortunately, Ireland’s comeback was shattered midway through the second half as Luke SALTER netted his second and England’s third of the night.
McShane’s side just couldn’t beat the English defence as Cunningham and Grogan had the best efforts late on.
The result leaves the Irish with one point from three games. They conclude this season’s Centenary Shield series in Belfast on Thursday evening as Northern Ireland play host.
The Republic of Ireland will be hoping they can finish their campaign with a win while the North will hope to bounce back from a 3-1 loss away to Wales last week. The North have one point on the board courtesy of a one all draw at home to Scotland. Following Thursday’s fixture, they’ll wrap up their season with an away trip to England on April 14.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS | Ryan DELANEY (St. Francis College, Rochestown), Jonathan ADEDEJI (St. Mary’s Secondary School, Edenderry), Jesse DEMPSEY (Wexford CBS), Eli ROONEY (Summerhill College, Sligo), Niall HOLAHAN (Carrick on Shannon Community School), Arran HEALY (Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig), Peter GROGAN © (St. Mary’s CBS, Carlow), Aidan RUSSELL VARGAS (Lusk Community College), Brian CUNNINGHAM (Presentation College, Headford), Stephen MOHAN (Clonkeen College, Blackrock), Adam O’HALLARON (Clarin College, Athenry)
SUBS | Rhys KELLY NOONAN (Coláiste Muire, Crosshaven) for Russell Vargas (HT), James LUKAU (Merlin College, Galway) for Mohan (64), Callum BONNER (St. Patrick’s Classical School, Navan) for A O’Halloran (88), Mark O’HALLARON (Clarin College, Athenry) for Adedeji (88), Daithí FOLAN (Belvedere College, Dublin)
MANAGEMENT | John McSHANE, Head Coach (Loreto Secondary School, Bray), 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)
ENGLAND | James Taylor, Harvey Smith, Tyrese Hughes, Jacob Towns, George Wilkinson, Laiith Fairnie ©, Sam Johnston, Oscar Fletcher, Olllie Fraser, Like Salter, Rio Joisce
SUBS | Jack Bostock for Hughes (65), Jay Sangha for Fletcher (77), Dominic Cupid for Fraser (86), Jasper Sheik, Benjamin Wodskou
MANAGEMENT | Luke Hampton, Matt Hatherton, James Norton, Liam Parkinson
2023 SAFIB hummel Centenary Shield Results & Fixtures
RESULTS
Thursday, February 23 Scotland 0-0 Republic of Ireland Renfrew FC
Thursday, March 2 Northern Ireland 1-1 Scotland Blanchflower Park
Thursday, March 9 Republic of Ireland 3-4 Wales Ferrycarrig Park, Wexford
Thursday, March 23 Wales 3-1 Northern Ireland Britton Ferry FC
Friday, March 24 Republic of Ireland 1-3 England Athlone Town AFC
FIXTURES
Thursday, March 30 Northern Ireland vs Republic of Ireland Blanchflower Park
Friday, March 31 Scotland vs England Broadwood Stadium
Thursday, April 13 Wales vs Scotland Colwyn Bay FC
Friday, April 14 England vs Northern Ireland Billericay Town FC
Friday, April 28 England vs Wales Hednesford Town FC
All games kick off at 7pm