THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U18 SCHOOLS squad will complete their Centenary Shield campaign when they host England in Turner’s Cross Stadium, Cork City on Friday night, April 26
This will be a stern test for the Irish as home advantage has seldom played in their favour against this opposition in recent years: The English have won the last two encounters with a 2/1 win last season in Brighton and a five goal thriller in Tallaght in 2011 which left England with the bragging rights by the narrowest of margins:
Andy Buckingham’s side will be looking to make it a hat/trick of victories as they take to the field on Friday night: The squad will be buzzing from their recent victory over Scotland at St: Johnstone and will be hoping to leave the Emerald Island with a victory over the host nation:
This is the Republic of Ireland’s last match of the Centenary Shield campaign and with wins over Scotland and Wales, Horgan’s crew are confident of completing their season on a positive note with a victory which would secure a runners up spot in the campaign:
It will be a big night for Waterford’s De La Salle College student Patrick Fitzgerald who will lead out the team in Turner’s Cross: The Waterford United star has been in phenomenal form for the green army in their recent endeavours and another sterling performance is expected of the teenager:
Nagle Community College won the Umbro FAI Schools All Ireland Senior B title this year and one of their star players will be on display for tonight’s finale: The impressive Alan Browne will be extremely comfortable in his surroundings as he currently plays for the Cork City club: Alan joins the ranks of former Mahon students such as James Cummins and Darren Swaine who have all wore the Irish Schools jersey, with notable success:
Cummins and Swaine were capped back in 2003 alongside Wolves player Stephen Ward who represented Portmarnock Community School: James Rodgers of St: Columba’s College, Stranorlar was in the management hotspot on that occasion: The Republic of Ireland enjoyed their first year in the elite phase of the Centenary Shield and more impressively won the title in fine style that year: The win in 2003, lead the Irish to some remarkable dominance in the competition, capturing an elusive three in/a/row with victories in 2003, 2004 and 2005: An amazing introduction for the Irish to the Centenary Shield
The Irish had to wait another three years for more success as they captured the title in 2008 under the stewardship of current Chairman, Mr: Sean Carr (St: Eunan’s College): This victory was bittersweet as the Irish defeated England in Sunderland’s Stadium of Light arena to take the elusive title
The most recent victory was three seasons ago when Palmerstown Community School teacher Dave Archbold was at the helm: Pirelli Stadium, home of Burton Albion was the venue for the big occasion: A solitary goal from Athlone’s Robbie Benson secured the spoils for the Irish that night, racking up five titles in 11 years:
Cork are also represented by Presentation Brother’s student Kynan Rocks: The youngster plays his club football with Cobh Ramblers and he will be anxious to secure another starting position come match day to give the home crowd something to cheer about:
Sligo’s Summerhill College are still celebrating their recent successes at schools level as they captured the Dr: Tony O’Neill Cup in Home Farm FC a fortnight ago: Their captain Jake Dykes has been instrumental for the Irish team this season
Jack Doherty was capped last season for FAI Schools and his experience at this level has showed in recent encounters: Doherty who attends Comeragh College will be looking to add to his goal tally in Cork as England provides some tough opposition for the final game of the series:
Rice College, Westport’s net minder Conor O’Malley has showed great conviction between the posts this season especially during the opening clash with the North and he has kept a clean sheet since then: Could this be another remarkable performance from the Mayo man or will Horgan opt for Shaun Patton of St: Eunan’s College: Patton is a promising young keeper who has demonstrated his potential in recent club and school fixtures:
Horgan will no doubt have a very difficult task in selecting his starting eleven as recent performances have shown the depth of talent on the bench:
Republic of Ireland U/18 Schools Squad:
Conor O’Malley Rice College, Westport
Kilian Cantwell St: Kieran's College, Kilkenny
Seán Coyne Terenure College, Dublin
Alex Byrne Yeats College, Galway
Patrick Fitzgerald De La Salle College, Waterford
Alan Browne Nagle Community College, Cork
Gavin Boyne Castleknock Community College, Dublin
Kevin O’Connor St: Peter's College, Wexford
Dylan Cashin Malahide Community College, Dublin
Conor Barry Portumna Community School, Galway
Jack Doherty Comeragh College, Carrick on Suir
Fearghal McMahon St: Macartan’s College, Monaghan
Kynan Rocks Christian Brothers College, Cork
Seán Hurley Arklow CBS
Jake Dykes Summerhill College, Sligo
Shaun Patton St: Eunan’s College, Letterkenny
Jamie Goonery Palmerstown Community School, Dublin
Daire McDaid St: Eunan’s College, Letterkenny
FIXTURE:
Friday, April 26, 2013
Centenary Shield
Republic of Ireland Schools v England Schools, Turner’s Cross Stadium, Cork City (7:00pm)
2013 CENTENARY SHIELD RESULTS:
15:03:13 FAI Schools (Boys) 0/1 Northern Ireland (CS) in Institute FC, Derry
27:03:13 FAI Schools (Boys) 2/0 Scotland (CS) in Fraserburgh, Aberdeen
05:04:13 FAI Schools (Boys) 1/0 Wales (CS) in Oscar Traynor Centre, Dublin
OTHER CENTENARY SHIELD FIXTURES
26:02:13 Northern Ireland 2/1 Scotland (Dungannon)
01:03:13 England 1/4 Wales (Lincoln City)
08:03:13 England 1/1 Northern Ireland (Plymouth)
15:03:13 Wales 2/0 Scotland (Bangor City)
12:04:13 Scotland 1/3 England (St: Johnstone FC)
19:04:13 Wales 1/3 Northern Ireland (Llanelli)