Northern Ireland 2-6 Republic of Ireland

SAFIB Centenary Shield | Under 18 Boys’ International

Friday, April 11, 2025

Eight goal thriller played out in Belfast

Northern Ireland 2-6 Republic of Ireland

Sam McClintock (83 pen), Senan Devine (89)     Adam Brennan (45), Rhys Knight (58,) Sam Neville (67), Jack Sweeney (77, 87, (90+3)

THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS defeated holders Northern Ireland in Blanchflower Stadium following an eight-goal thriller tonight (April 11). 

The hosts were unbeaten in the competition thus far having won their opening game 2-0 away to England, following this up with a tense 3-3 draw at home to Scotland last week in the same venue. But the wheels came undone for Simon Nicks’ side in the second half tonight as the Republic ran riot.

It’s the first win on the board for Derek O’Brien’s side in this their third outing. Fortunately, their goal drought has ended having failed to score against Wales and Scotland in their previous encounters, despite their dominant possession.

It was great to see the fire power on display from the visitors as Jack SWEENEY (Merlin College) grabbed a hat-trick as well as goals from Adam BRENNAN (Hartstown Community School), Rhys KNIGHT (Clonkeen College) and Sam NEVILLE (Patrician Secondar School, Newbridge).

The Republic of Ireland opened the scoring against the run of play as Adam BRENNAN slotted home just before the break to give O’Brien’s side a slender advantage.

Rhys KNIGHT doubled their tally 13 minutes into the restart with some lovely quick feet in the box following a delightful through ball from Matt Jones (St. Flannan’s College, Ennis) down the left flank.

O’Brien made a double substitution just after the hour mark which saw Oisin Kelly and Jack Sweeney introduced for Aaron Cass and Jacob Carroll. And what an impact these changes made! 

Ballyhaunis CS scholar Oisin Kelly was involved in the third goal six minutes later as he fed Sam NEVILLE to leave Murray no chance.

The Republic’s fourth came on 77 minutes as Jack SWEENEY, who was only on the park a quarter of an hour, made a powerful run down the right wing to take the ball past Murray at his near post.

The North grabbed a goal back on 83 minutes when Sam McCLINTOCK converted from the penalty spot to make it 1-4.

Four minutes later, Jack SWEENEY bagged a brace and the Republic’s fifth of the evening while Northern Ireland Captain Senan DEVINE popped up a minute from time to make it 2-5.

With three minutes of injury time played, Summerhill College pupil Callum LYNCH saw his initial shot saved bravely by Oisin Murray but the rebound fell to the feet of Jack SWEENEY who made no mistake to complete his hat-trick with a superb finish, the game ending 2-6. 

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Super Sub | Having been introduced on 61 minutes, he scores on 77’, his brace on 87’ and the hat-trick complete on 90+3 … a whirlwind for the Merlin College student, it’s no surprise that Jack SWEENEY was named the Republic of Ireland Player of the Match.

OTHER FIXTURES

England played out a two all draw with Wales in Macclesfield in the second outing of the night. This would mean that either Wales or Scotland can win the Shield from the remaining fixure. It’s a waiting game for Scotland (on 8 points) as the Welsh are scheduled to take on Northern Ireland on April 24 in Briton Ferry while the Republic of Ireland will entertain England in Athlone Town AFC on the same night.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS | MacDaragh SCANLON, Jacob CARROLL, James MORAHAN, Billy REGAN (all St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway), Alain KIZENGA (St. Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue), Adam NOLAN (Maynooth Community College), Rhys KNIGHT (Clonkeen College, Blackrock), Matt JONES (St. Flannan’s College, Ennis), Adam BRENNAN (Hartstown Community School), Sam NEVILLE (Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge), Aaron CASS (Abbey Community College, Ferrybank)

SUBS USED | Oisín KELLY (Ballyhaunis Community School) for Cass (61), Jack SWEENEY (Merlin College, Galway) for Carroll (61), Daniel CUNNINGHAM (Coláiste na Carraige, Carrick, Donegal) for Regan (78),   Callum LYNCH (Summerhill College, Sligo) for Neville (78), Luke DOOLAN (St. Brendan’s College, Killarney) for Knight (81)

SUBS NOT USED | Corey SHERIDAN (Coláiste Choilm, Ballyshannon), Fionn McNAMARA (St. Patrick’s College, Cavan)

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)

NORTHERN IRELAND  | Oisin Murray, Sam McClintock, Ciaran Rodgers Duffy, James Hood, Aidan Tejada,  Joseph Sheridan, Owen O’Neill, Oilibhear McCart, Josh Williamson, Senan Devine ©,

SUBS | Brandon Downey, James Simpson, James McClure, Milo Beimers, Sam Sproule, Callum Cowan, Caoimhin McDermott

MANAGEMENT | Simon Nicks, Neil McGaughey, Richard Clarke, Eamon Curry, James McGaughey

MATCH OFFICIAL | Philip Caulfield

2025 SAFIB Centenary Shield

RESULTS

February 28        Scotland 6-2 England Greenock Morton (1.0)

March 14              Wales 1-1 Scotland, Airbus FC (1.0)

March 14              England 0-2 Northern Ireland, Truro (7.3)

March 20             Republic of Ireland 0-1 Wales, Graun Park, Tramore (1.0)

March 27             Scotland 1-0 Republic of Ireland, Stenhousemuir (1.0)

April 4                  Northern Ireland 3-3 Scotland, Blanchflower Stadium (7.0)

April 11                  England 2-2 Wales, Macclesfield (7.0)

April 11                  Northern Ireland 2-6 Republic of Ireland, Blanchflower Stadium (7.0)

FIXTURES

April 24                Wales vs Northern Ireland, Briton Ferry FC (7.0)

April 24                Republic of Ireland vs England, Athlone Town AFC (7.0)

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