Ireland in search of first win in Centenary Shield outing away to Scotland

SAFIB Centenary Shield | Under 18 Boys’ International

Sunday, March 23, 2025

 Ireland take on Scotland in second test

The Republic of Ireland will travel to Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir FC to entertain Scotland in their second SAFIB Centenary Shield fixture which will take place on Thursday, March 27 (1.0).

Head Coach Derek O’Brien will have the same squad at his disposal that lost out to Wales, 0-1, in the opening game of their Sheild campaign in Tramore last Thursday, March 20. It was a frustrating afternoon for the students as a solitary goal courtesy of Osian Morris on 37 minutes was enough for Marc Williams’ side to take all three points despite Ireland’s majority possession.  

While next week’s opponents, Scotland are flying high at the top of the table alongside Wales as we reach the midway point of the series following Thursday afternoon’s clash. 

The tartan army have managed four points from a possible six with a 6-2 thumping of England on the opening night while they followed this up with a 1-1 draw away to Wales.  Osian Morris set Wales up nicely opening the scoring in the 11^th minute, but Scotland fought back with a Niall Graham equalizer on the hour mark to take a share of the spoils.

When these two teams met last season, Presentation College, Headford student Brian Cunningham returned from injury to net the equaliser thirteen minutes into the second half to cancel out Freddie Rowe’s penalty on the stroke of half-time as the game ended one apiece in Athlone.

Out of the last 20 encounters, Ireland have enjoyed 10 wins, 9 draws and only 1 defeat and this came back in 2017.

However, Scotland will be full of confidence with two solid performances under their belt. It will be interesting to see if centre forward Cameron Keay will be available for the Ireland encounter. The Scottish student missed the Welsh duel due to club commitments as well as Ryan Keegan. The skipper ran riot in their outing against England scoring four while substitute Jack Allen and Torran Lambie also converted.

Ireland will be hoping to kick start their Shield ambitions with a win away from home and upset the Scottish flow.

Following Thursday’s fixture, the Republic of Ireland have a two week break before they face holders Northern Ireland in Blanchflower Stadium, Belfast on April 11 (7.0). Derek O’Brien may have Fionn McNamara (St. Patrick’s College, Cavan) back from injury at that point in proceedings. 

The Republic of Ireland will then conclude the season at home to England on Thursday, April 24 in Athlone Town AFC (7.0).

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS | Kyle GABBIDON (Coola Post Primary School, Sligo), Sam NEVILLE, Ethan CHEESE (both Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge), Aaron CASS (Abbey Community College, Ferrybank), Alain KIZENGA (St. Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue), James MORAHAN, MacDaragh SCANLON, Billy REGAN, Jacob CARROLL (all St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway), Luke DOOLAN (St. Brendan’s College, Killarney), Jack SWEENEY (Merlin College, Galway), 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), Daniel CUNNINGHAM (Coláiste na Carraige, Carrick, Donegal), Adam BRENNAN (Hartstown Community School)

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, Fraser Rodger, Ben Nelson, Isaac Blanksby, Liam Rooney, Niall Graham, Dylan Kavanagh, Josh Gilmour, Archie Wylie, Jack Allan, Torran Lambie, Flynn McKay, Finn Leddie, Ben Coutts, Josh Beveridge, Ryan Keegan, Cameron Keay, Logan Jimenez

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)

FIXTURES

March 27             Scotland vs Republic of Ireland, Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir FC (1.0)

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

Centenary Shield Roll of Honour