Ireland face off against Australia

Under 18 Boys’ | Schools International Friendly

Schools squad named ahead of Aussie visit

Thursday, January 18, 2024 

THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS will open their International account against Australia at Home Farm FC, Whitehall on Saturday, January 20 (2.0).

In last season’s outing, the Irish managed an extraordinary 2-1 victory as Eoin KENNY (St. Mary’s College, Dundalk) netted a fabulous opener with 51 minutes registered. However, the celebrations were short lived as Will FRENEY equalised two minutes later with a sublime set piece to the top corner.  Brian CUNNINGHAM (Presentation College, Headford) was only on the park 15 minutes when he struck what proved to be the match winner in the 90^th minute to add to the late drama.

Australia managed six wins last year losing just twice with defeats to Republic of Ireland Schools and the Welsh Schools who secured a 4-0 win against the Socceroos. 

This year, the Australian squad have played two of their ten matches to date. They’ve suffered defeats to English Independent Schools and Welsh College teams. They prepare for the Welsh Schools tonight before making the short trip to Ireland.

The Republic of Ireland Schools have a new Head Coach as Derek O’BRIEN (Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore) takes over the helm from John McSHANE this season.

Also joining the management ranks is former Schools International player and teacher Alan MURPHY (St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway) who will join Goalkeeping Coach John POWER and veteran Ollie HORGAN (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny).

The Head Coach will be delighted to see the return of an impressive quartet as Adam O’HALLORAN (Clarin College, Athenry), Rhys KELLY NOONAN (Coláiste Mhuire, Crosshaven), Aidan RUSSELL VARGAS (Lusk Community College) and Brian CUNNINGHAM (Presentation College, Headford) are all back in the mix. The talented bunch will be hoping to make the Centenary Shield squad for a second consecutive year.

O’Brien will relish such strong opposition and he will use this game as an excellent platform to assess players as he attempts to cut down the extended squad ahead of the SAFIB Centenary Shield campaign.

O’Brien has said, “We are really looking forward to welcoming Australia again this year, it is always a fantastic test for our squad in preparations for our Shield fixtures. The players have been working hard over the last number of months with their provinces and with us to get to this point, so it is a real honour for them to get to line out this weekend. This will also be a great chance for the staff to see how the squad is progressing and a brilliant opportunity for the players to try to claim a spot in the squad for our upcoming games”.

The Republic of Ireland Schools International programme will see them open their campaign at home to Scotland on Thursday, February 29. This will be followed a week later with Northern Ireland on Thursday, March 7. Both games will take place in Athlone Town AFC. O’Brien will then travel to Walsall FC to take on England on Friday, April 5 while the campaign will conclude against defending Champions Wales on Thursday, April 18 in Briton Ferry Llansawel FC.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS SELECT | Oisin COONEY (Carndonagh Community School), Darragh COYLE (Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana), Kyle McDONAGH (St. Attracta’s Community School, Tubbercurry), Tom McLOUGHLIN (Malahide Community School), Robbie LYNCH (Hazelwood College, Dromcollogher), James McATEER (Loreto Community School, Milford),  Adam O’HALLORAN (Clarin College, Athenry), Daire PATTON (Summerhill College, Sligo), Hugh PARKER (Temple Carrig School, Greystones), Aidan RUSSELL VARGAS (Lusk Community College), Brian CUNNINGHAM (Presentation College, Headford), Sean MACKEY (Coláiste Chiarain, Leixlip), Kyle DONOGHUE (Kildare Town Community School), Callum HONOHAN (Edmund Rice College, Carrigaline), Callum DOYLE TRAVERS (St. Fintan’s High School, Sutton), Edvinas JAKAS (Lucan Community College),  Rhys KELLY NOONAN (Coláiste Mhuire, Crosshaven), Calum COSTELLO (Comeragh College, Carrick on Suir)

EXTENDED PANEL | Jack AHERN (Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore), Markuss STRODS (St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Rush), Rory MOLONEY (Presentation Brothers College, Cork), Evan LYNCH (Christian Brothers College, Cork), Luke DOWNEY (Glanmire Community College), Sam BAILEY (Clonakilty Community College)

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, Martin CAVANAGH, Equipment Manager (Carndonagh Community School), Michael McGLYNN (Physio), Dr. Aidan O’COLMAIN (Team Doctor)

 AUSTRALIA | Sebastian ARRANZ (Marist College), Samuel O’CONNOR (Freeman Catholic College, Green Valley), Jared MIDDLETON (NBSC Freshwater Senior Campus), Owen HENDERSON (The Hills Sports High School), Oscar MYERS (Palm Beach Currumbin State High School), Jordan REZEK (St. Mary Mackillop College), Reece McMANUS (Hunter Sports High School), Lachlan MIDDLETON (NBSC Freshwater Senior Campus), Jacob CARRE (Ballna Coast High School), Noah MAIERONI (Kelvin Grove state College), Jack ELLWOOD (Erindale College), Bodie DENTON (Barker College), David RUSSELL (Robina State High School), Adrian PINI (Bossley Park High School), Tate BALDWIN (Palm Beach Currumbin State High School), Luka STRABAC (Bossley Park High School), Christian MLADENIS (Kings Christian College), Archie McGREGOR (Erindale College)

MANAGEMENT | Scott BELDRE, Coach (Ingleburn High School), Peter HENDERSON, Manager (Blaxland High School), Tony OLIVERIA, Tour Leader (Radford College)

PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS

Ireland record | 12 games (5 wins, 5 defeats, 2 draws)