Centenary Shield | England 4-0 Ireland

SAFIB Centenary Shield | Under 18 Boys’ International

Saturday, April 6, 2024

England claim victory over Ireland

England 4-0 Republic of Ireland

Jude Entwhistle (1, 22, 67), Ollie Spicer (74)                               

The Republic of Ireland Schools suffered a disappointing defeat to hosts England in Walsall FC last night (Friday, April 5).

An Entwhistle hat-trick followed up by a fourth courtesy of Ollie Spicer dashed Ireland’s chances of a late surge in the series.

Derek O’Brien’s team were without the services of trio Seán Mackey (Coláiste Chiaráin, Leixlip), Robbie Lynch (Hazelwood College, Limerick) and Brian Cunningham (Presentation College, Headford) for this crunch encounter. It saw Connor Cannon (Rice College) included in the starting line-up and Tom McLoughlin (Malahide Community School) and Jack Ahern (Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore) coming off the bench for the visitors. Also, Adam O’Halloran (Clarin College, Athenry) featured having missed the Northern Ireland clash with a dead leg.

England got off to a flying start with a goal inside 15 seconds as Jude Entwhistle smashed the ball home from close range. His second of the night came midway through the first half with another brilliant finish. 

Ireland’s Hugh Parker who was carrying a knock for much of the game had a great chance to grab one back before the interval as Connor Cannon played him in but Archie Small made a last-ditch tackle to deny the Temple Carrig scholar. 

It was 2-0 to the hosts at the break.

CBC, Cork pupil Evan Lynch had a half chance before the hour mark but the ball floated frustrating over the crossbar.

Entwhistle completed his hat-trick on 67 minutes with a lovely effort.

England’s fourth goal came 16 minutes from time as Ollie Spicer slotted in from 6 yards following a cut-back from Freddie Haden.

With ten minutes remaining Callum Costello (Comeragh College, Carrick on Suir) delivered an inviting free kick to the far post but keeper James Taylor punched it clear. With England on the counter, substitute Toby Nelson forced Óisín Cooney into a great save and the resulting corner saw Deacon Smalley hit the crossbar.

Carndonagh CS star Óisín Cooney pulled off another impressive save in the sixth minute of added time as he stopped a Kai Adams header.

It was a frustrating night for the Irish in their penultimate outing of the SAFIB Centenary Shield. 

The Republic of Ireland have managed just one point from their three fixtures having drawn against Scotland (1-1) in the opening game while suffering a defeat to Northern Ireland (1-2) in a closely contested encounter in Athlone. England’s victory sees the Republic of Ireland slump down the league table alongside Scotland, with both teams on one point each.

England hadn’t registered a win since last night, falling foul of Northern Ireland in their first outing (3-0) and Wales (3-1) last week in their two away fixtures. On home soil, the English jump to mid-table with a valuable three points secured.

The clear favourites are Northern Ireland who remain unbeaten with three wins. Wales have two victories from two and they’ve two games left to play. All eyes will be on Northern Ireland and Wales next Thursday (April 11) to see if Simon Nicks’ side can lift the title in Belfast.

Meanwhile, England will entertain Scotland next Friday (April 12) while the following week, the Republic of Ireland travel to take on Wales in the final game of the ten-match series on April 18. Marc Williams will be hoping his Welsh side can take all six points on offer and cause an upset late on in the campaign.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS SELECT | Óisín COONEY (Carndonagh Community School), Connor CANNON (Rice College, Westport) Kyle McDONAGH (St. Attracta’s Community School, Tubbercurry), Callum HONOHAN © (Edmund Rice College, Carrigaline), Evan LYNCH (Christian Brothers College, Cork), Daire PATTON (Summerhill College, Sligo), Hugh PARKER (Temple Carrig School, Greystones), Kyle DONOGHUE (Kildare Town Community School), Darragh COYLE (Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana), Callum DOYLE TRAVERS (St. Fintan’s High School, Sutton), Aidan RUSSELL VARGAS (Lusk Community College)

SUBS USED | Calum COSTELLO (Comeragh College, Carrick on Suir) for Doyle Travers (HT), Tom McLOUGHLIN (Malahide Community School) for Russell Vargas (HT), Adam O’HALLORAN (Claron College, Athenry) for Parker (55) James McATEER (Loreto Community School, Milford) for Coyle (73), Jack  AHERN (Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore) for Lynch (79)

SUBS NOT USED | Edvinas JAKAS (Lucan Community College), Rhys KELLY NOONAN (Coláiste Mhuire, Crosshaven)

MANAGEMENT | Derek O’BRIEN, Head Coach (Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore), Alan MURPHY, Coach (St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway) Ollie HORGAN, Coach (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), John POWER, GK Coach, Óisín McMenamin, Equipment Manager (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar), Seamus McWALTERS (Physio), Dr. Aidan O’COLMAIN (Team Doctor)

ENGLAND |  Taylor, Elsdon, Thynne, Smalley, Small, Houlahan, Entwhistle, Spicer, Cocks, Haden, Matton

SUBS USED | Adams for Matton (70), McNulty Hartnett for Cocks (70), Wooding for Houlahan (77), Nelson for Entwhistle (77)

MATCH OFFICIAL | Jamie Howe

2024 SAFIB Centenary Shield

Results

Friday, February 23           Northern Ireland 3-0 England              (Blanchflower Park, Welders FC) 19.00hrs

Thursday, February 29    Republic of Ireland1-1 Scotland                                  (Athlone Town AFC) 19.00hrs

Thursday, March 7            Republic of Ireland1-2 Northern Ireland   (Athlone Town AFC) 19.00hrs

Thursday, March 14          Scotland 2-4 Wales                                          (Greenock Morton) 13.00hrs

Thursday, March 21          Scotland 0-2 Northern Ireland                      (Stenhousemuir FC) 13.00hrs

Thursday, March 28         Wales 3-1 England                                             (Llandarcy Academy of Sport) 19.00hrs

Friday, April 5                     England 4-0Republic of Ireland                 (Walsall FC) 19.00hrs

Fixtures

Thursday, April 11              Northern Ireland vs Wales                  (Blanchflower Park, Welders FC) 19.00hrs

Friday, April 12                   England vs Scotland                                        (Chesterfield FC) 19.00hrs

Thursday, April 18             Wales vs Republic of Ireland                       (Briton Ferry FC) 19.00hrs

PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS

Head to Head | Republic of Ireland vs England | 20  encounters | Ireland 6 wins, 7 draws, 7 defeats