WALES 0-1 REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Sean Brosnan 17
The Republic of Ireland Under 18 Schools' team clinched a vital Centenary Shield win against Wales on Thursday night in Haverfordwest reports John Fallon:
After losing their opening game to Northern Ireland on St: Patrick's Day, Ireland were chasing a win to redeem their title aspirations:
And it was late call up Sean Brosnan of St: Patrick's School, Castleisland who supplied the only goal of the game on 17 minutes:
Brosnan was the only newcomer to the squad from the panel that faced Wales: His elevation arose due to the unavailability of Marwan Azimi because of club commitments:
He displayed predatory instincts in a crowded goalmouth to seize upon the loose ball and slam home after the Wales goalkeeper was unable to gather Sean Skelly's stinging 25 yard freekick:
In rain/soaked conditions, Ireland coped well and should have been further ahead by the break:
Robbie Benson and Gary Shaw each missed chances but the closest Ireland came to grabbing a second was through Brosnan, who capitalised upon a mis/hit back/pass to go through one on one with the goalkeeper but he was denied this time by the netminder:
Wales came more into the game in the second half without causing Ireland goalkeeper Josh Byrne or his defence much concern:
Ireland saw out the game in comfortable fashion and can look forward to next week's game at home to Scotland with optimism:
Dave Archbold, manager of Ireland, said: "We needed this win and the victory puts the destiny of the trophy back in our hands:
"It was good all/round performance and we probably could be won by more:
"We've two games remaining in the campaign, firstly on Good Friday against Scotland at Ballybofey before meeting England in what could be the decider on April 30 at Burton Albion: It's up to us to win those matches and take the trophy:"
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Josh Byrne (De La Salle, Waterford); Brian Nolan (St Paul's CC), Jason Dwane (St: Peter's College), Tomas Boyle (Salesian College), Nathan Murphy (Colaiste Ris); Daryl Horgan (St: Enda's College, Galway), Sean Skelly (St: Joseph's Fairview), Hugh Douglas (St: Brendan's College); Gary Shaw (Patrician SS), Robbie Benson (Marist College), Sean Brosnan (St: Patrick's SS, Castleisland):
Substitutions: Daragh Walshe (St: Kieran's College) for Shaw (h/t), Stephen Chambers (St: Fintan's) for Skelly (60 mins), Tom O'Halloran (Athlone CC) for Brosnan (65 mins), Barry O'Mahony (Summerhill College) for Benson (80 mins)