Northern Ireland Schools 1/0 Republic of Ireland Schools
THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U18 SCHOOLS lost their opening Centenary Shield game against Northern Ireland at Riverside Stadium, Drumahoe on Friday night last (March 15) by a solitary goal:
The industrious Jonathan McMurray latched onto a neat flick by Joshua mcIllwaine to lob Rice College student Conor O’Malley on the half hour mark:
The Republic of Ireland had one late change to the panel as Eoin McCormack (Athlone Community College) was drafted in to replace Seán Coyne who missed out due to club commitments
This was Bob Ramsey’s third outing in the Shield and his outfit were well prepared heading into the clash: The home side sat top of the leader board with a well earned draw away to England and a surprise 2/1 victory over the Scots to place them well in contention for this year’s silverware:
Northern Ireland set out their intentions early on as McIllwaine was denied from close range by a brave stop by Conor O’Malley between the posts with 15 minutes registered:
However Horgan’s crew responded positively to the pressure on the counter attack: Portumna star Conor Barry placed a dangerous ball into the box from the right wing and it only required a nick by the incoming Jack Dykes however the young Summerhill College student failed to connect and let Northern Ireland off the hook:
Val Feeney was causing concern for the hosts but unfortunately the final ball failed to hit the mark with net minder Williamson saving easily at any attempt on goal
Just before the interval the North had an excellent opportunity to double their lead as Joel Bradley tested O’Malley yet again but the Mayo native was responsive and cleared the danger without hesitation
McMurray went close to getting his second of the night just on the hour mark when he rose high to head a free kick by Reece Glendinning just over the bar:
In the closing stages, Horgan made a few positional changes in an effort to find the equaliser:
Substitute Dylan Cashin sent an inviting ball into the danger zone only for Jordan Dane to clear off the line in dramatic fashion:
Kilian Cantwell combined well with Alan Browne on 83 minutes as the Nagle star saw his header acrobatically saved:
Northern Ireland centre backs Jordan Dane and Adam Harwood withstood a constant barrage of high balls while goalkeeper Jordan Williamson, produced a string of fine saves to keep the visiting attack at bay:
Comeragh College student Jack Doherty had a spectacular free kick saved in injury time to seal the Republic’s faith in a highly explosive and entertaining finish to proceedings:
A valuable three points for Ramsey’s side as Northern Ireland completes their Centenary Shield campaign in Llanelli on April 19, knowing that a win could clinch the title: However, it will not be easy as Wales currently lie in second place with six points from their two games:
Up next for the Republic of Ireland is a trip to Fraserburgh to face Scotland next Wednesday, March 27: The Irish will then host Wales on April 5 in the Oscar Traynor Centre and conclude their Centenary Shield endeavours as they play host to current holders England in Turner’s Cross, Stadium Cork City on April 26
Northern Ireland Schools: Jordan Williamson (Belfast Metropolitan), Reece Glendinning (Glengormley), Jordan Dane (Southern Regional College), Adam Harwood (Belfast Metropolitan), Steven McCullough (Belfast Metropolitan), Joel Bradley (Causeway Institute), Jamie Glackin (Omagh College), Ryan Corrigan (St Patrick's College Armagh), Tom Carlin (Holy Cross Strabane), Joshua McIlwaine (South West Regional College), Jonathan McMurray (Belfast Metropolitan)
Subs used: Gary Henderson (Holy Cross Strabane) replaced McIlwaine, 45 mins, Aaron Patterson (Holy Cross Strabane) replaced McMurray, 68 mins, Jude Ballard (Sacred Heart College) replaced Bradley, 69 mins, Michael O'Hanlon (Edmund Rice College) replaced Glackin 84 mins
Subs not used: Sean McIlhone (Corpus Christi College), Ryan Harkin (St Columb's College), Conor Barr (St Columb's College)
Republic of Ireland Schools: Conor O’Malley (Rice College), Kilian Cantwell (St: Kieran’s College), Alex Byrne (Yeats College), Patrick Fitzgerald (Capt) (De La Salle College, Waterford), Alan Browne (Nagle Community College), Kevin O’Connor (St: Peter’s College, Wexford), Conor Barry (Portumna Community College), Jack Doherty (Comeragh College), Seán Hurley (Arklow CBS), Jake Dykes (Summerhill College, Sligo), Val Feeney (Coláiste Pobail, Roscrea)
Subs used: Gavin Boyne (Castleknock Community College) replaced Feeney 45mins, Dylan Cashin (Malahide Community College) replaced Hurley, 45mins, Kynan Rocks (Christian Brothers College) replaced Barry, 69 mins, Eoin McCormack (Athlone Community College) replaced Jake Dykes, 79mins, Fearghal McMahon (St: Macarthan’s College) replaced Patrick Fitzgerald, 90 mins
Subs not used: Shaun Patton (St: Eunan’s College), Jamie Goonery (Palmerstown Community School)
REFEREE: Raymond Hetherington