SAFIB Centenary Shield | Under 18 Boys’ International
Friday, March 28, 2025
Scotland 1-0 Republic of Ireland
Josh Beveridge (25)
THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS suffered a second consecutive defeat at the hands of Scotland in Stenhousemuir FC yesterday afternoon (Thursday, March 27).
It’s only their second ever loss to the hosts in 21 meetings with the only other one coming at Renfrew in 2017.
Like the Welsh encounter last week, Ireland enjoyed most of the possession but just couldn’t convert despite some very good efforts on goal. They dominated the second half but just couldn’t penetrate the Scottish goal.
A defensive error between Ireland’s centre half and the goalkeeper saw Jack Allan’s hard press rewarded when the ball rebounded to Josh BEVERIDGE to poke home from six yards out in the 25th minute of the game and that proved to be the crucial blow to Ireland’s Shield ambitions.
The visitors were lively for the first 25 minutes of the second half which was played entirely in the Scottish defensive third.
O’Brien’s men had a considerable number of opportunities as Billy Regan’s header glanced inches away of the far post following a splendid Rhys Knight corner.
Adam Brennan’s left footed effort was well executed as he attempted to lob the keeper but the ball just went agonising wide of the target while Luke Doolan was one on one with the shot-stopper but he lacked any real conviction when he did strike.
The hosts did manage to counter attacked a few times late on as Ireland flooded players forward in search of a deserved equaliser that never materialized.
In the end, Ireland will yet again rue missing a considerable amount of goal scoring opportunities for the second week in a row leaving them pointless where they could well be sitting on maximum points going into their penultimate clash.
Yesterday’s win sees Scotland three points clear at the top of the table at the halfway point in the series.
Scotland have one game to go and that’s an important visit to Belfast on April 4 to take on the current holders. A win for either team will surely prove decisive.
The following week will see a double header as England take on Wales at Macclesfield while Northern Ireland face off against neighbours Republic of Ireland in Blanchflower Stadium, with both games kicking off at 7pm on Friday, April 11.
Following a two week break the conclusion of the series will also see another double header on Thursday, April 24 as the Republic of Ireland entertain England in Athlone Town AFC while Wales clash with Northern Ireland with both games pencilled in for a 7pm start.
Wales have two games played with 4 points of a possible 6 gathered. Favourites Northern Ireland have one win from one as they look to gather momentum in the series.
Notwithstanding, the Republic of Ireland will look to upset the odds in Belfast before they host England in the last game of Derek O’Brien’s tenure.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS SELECT | Kyle GABBIDON (Coola Post Primary School, Sligo), Alain KIZENGA © (St. Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue), James MORAHAN, Billy REGAN (both St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway), Luke DOOLAN (St. Brendan’s College, Killarney), Adam NOLAN (Maynooth Community College), Rhys KNIGHT (Clonkeen College, Blackrock), Callum LYNCH (Summerhill College, Sligo), Matt JONES (St. Flannan’s College, Ennis), Oisín KELLY (Ballyhaunis Community School), Adam BRENNAN (Hartstown Community School)
SUBS USED | Jacob CARROLL (St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway) for Lynch (HT), Sam NEVILLE (Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge) for Regan (74), Ethan CHEESE (Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge) for Regan (74), Jack SWEENEY (Merlin College, Galway) for Jones (85),
SUBS NOT USED | MacDaragh SCANLON (St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway), Daniel CUNNINGHAM (Coláiste na Carraige, Carrick, Donegal), Aaron CASS (Abbey Community College, Ferrybank),
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)
SCOTLAND | Lewis Briggs, Josh Beveridge, Isaac Blanksby, Fraser Rodger, Niall Graham, Cameron Keay ©, Ben Nelson, Josh Gilmour, Archie Wylie, Dylan Kavanagh, Jack Allan
SUBS USED | Flynn McKay for Nelson (59), Oliver Fisher for Keay (59), Finn Kedfie for Kavanagh (66), Torran Lambie for Allan (82)
SUBS NOT USED | Ben Coutts
MANAGEMENT | Gerry O’Hare, Craig Johnstone, Ross Baird, Craig Spiers, Alison Fielding
MATCH OFFICIAL | Taylor Martin
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)
FIXTURES
April 4 Northern Ireland vs Scotland, Blanchflower Stadium (7.0)
April 11 England vs Wales, Macclesfield (7.0)
April 11 Northern Ireland vs Republic of Ireland, Blanchflower Stadium (7.0)
April 24 Republic of Ireland vs England, Athlone Town AFC (7.0)
April 24 Wales vs Northern Ireland, Briton Ferry FC (7.0)
2025 Centenary Shield Table
|
NATION |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
PTS |
|
Scotland |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
8 |
3 |
7 |
|
Wales |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
|
Northern Ireland |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
|
Republic of Ireland |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
England |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
8 |
0 |
As of March 27
