Republic of Ireland Schools 1/0 Wales Schools
Jack Doherty (50)
The Republic of Ireland Schools' team kept alive their Centenary Shield ambitions on Friday night by edging a tight game against Wales at the Oscar Traynor Complex in Dublin:
One moment of magic by Jack Doherty early in the second half proved decisive for the Republic of Ireland:
The winger from Comeragh College, Carrick on Suir fancied his chances from a free kick situated 30 yards from goal won by Kynan Rocks in the 50th minute:
Up stepped Doherty to swerve his drive around the wall and past the despairing dive of Wales goalkeeper Matthew Swan into the far corner:
Wales could have secured an equaliser midway through the second half as Josh Jones' screamer from 25 yards rocketed off the crossbar much to the relief of net minder O'Malley
Ireland's victory, coupled with last week's 2/0 win in Scotland, elevates them into contention for the five/nation title:
Should table toppers Northern Ireland drop points in Wales, the Republic of Ireland could secure the Shield when they entertain England at Turner's Cross on April 26 in the concluding fixture:
Cork City's Alan Browne nearly had Ireland in the lead five minutes before the break when his header beat Swan but Kyle Cockings scampered back to clear off the line:
After firing the hosts ahead, Doherty squandered a glorious chance to extend the advantage on 70 minutes when put clear on goal by Sean Coyne's pass: He could only veer his shot off/target from the edge of the box:
However, it took a save by Irish goalkeeper Conor O'Malley from an Iestyn Evans header three minutes from full/time to ensure Ollie Horgan's side wrapped up back/to/back wins:
The last time the Republic secured the Shield was back in 2010 under the stewardship of current Irish Coach Dave Archbold having defeated England in Burton Albion: Could Horgan and his crew have similar success in Turner's Cross in three weeks time?
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Conor O'Malley (Rice College, Westport); Kilian Cantwell (St: Kieran's College, Kilkenny), Alex Byrne (Yeats College, Galway), Patrick Fitzgerald (Capt) (De La Salle College, Waterford), Seán Coyne (Terenure College); Kynan Rocks (Christian Brothers, Cork), Kevin O'Connor (St: Peter's College, Wexford), Alan Browne (Nagle CC, Cork), Gavin Boyne (Castleknock CC, Dublin); J: Doherty (Comeragh College, Carrick on Suir); Conor Barry (Portumna CS, Galway):
Subs used: Seán Hurley (Arklow CBS) for Boyne (70 mins), Jake Dykes (Summerhill College, Sligo) for Doherty (75 mins), Dylan Cashin (Malahide CS) for Barry (80 mins):
Subs not used: Fearghal McMahon (St: Macartan's College, Monaghan), Shaun Patton (St: Eunan's College, Letterkenny), Jamie Goonery (Palmerstown CS), Gregory Sloggett (St: Oliver's CC, Drogheda)
WALES: M: Swan; L: James, R: Thomas, I: Evans (Capt), K: Cockings; R: Davies (D: Seager 74), D: Thomas, N: Renfree, J: Jones, J: Littlemore, R: Hedges (C: Jones 88):
REFEREE: Ian Bradley (AUL)
ENDS