Republic of Ireland 2 – 0 Northern Ireland
Mulroy 31mins, Kelly 44mins
A goal apiece from John Mulroy and Jake Kelly in the first half gave the Republic of Ireland Under/18 Schools team victory over Northern Ireland at Milebush Park in Castlebar on St, Patrick’s Day:
It was the second win on the bounce for the Irish in their Centenary Shield campaign:
Ireland did all the early pressing and seized the initiative just past the half hour mark when Moyle Park College striker John Mulroy struck the opener by latching onto a cross from captain Robbie Creevy and firing home:
Another well/worked move led to the second goal, scored a minute before half/time: Shane Clarke, one of four players in the Irish line/up representing the Limerick CBS Sexton Street school, found Jake Kelly with a through ball and he controlled the pass before tucking the shot beyond the goalkeeper:
Ireland withstood a spell of pressure from Northern Ireland early in the second half and held on to clinch victory:
Sean Carr’s Irish side showed their resilience during the first match of the campaign by coming from behind to record a 2/1 victory away to Wales last month:
Their next game is against Scotland on April 4 in Lissywollen Stadium in Athlone before they travel to Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on April 18 to face England:
Republic of Ireland: Brian Collopy (CBS Sexton St: Limerick), Peter Acheson (Rockwell Cashel), Sean Houston (St: Eunan’s, Letterkenny), Gary Murphy (Oatlands Stillorgan), Philip Knight (Clonkeen College, Blackrock), David Webster (Templeogue College, Dublin), Oisin McMenamin (St: Eunan’s, Letterkenny), Robbie Creevy (Salesian College), Jake Kelly (St: Laurance’s Loughlinstown), Shane Clarke (CBS Sexton St: Limerick), John Mulroy (Moyle Park College)
Subs: Jason Hughes (CBS Sexton St: Limerick) for Webster (68 mins), Kevin Barry (CBS Sexton St: Limerick) for Clarke (80 mins) and Gerard Cheevers (St: Mary’s Galway) for John Mulroy (90 mins):
Northern Ireland: Niall Murphy, Thomas Burke, Ross Redman, Martin Hamilton, Seamus Sharley, Gary Thompson, Andrew Hall, Samuel Stewart, David McDaid, Adam McKinney, Colum Curtis:
Subs: Donnelly for Hamilton (65mins)
Referee: Damien McGrath