Republic of Ireland miss out on silverware in Jersey

Colhoun upbeat despite defeat to North

IRELAND'S Boys Under 18 international side may have been defeated by Northern Ireland in Tuesday's international friendly in Jersey, but coach Hugh Colhoun is staying positive about the experience (2009)

Following the cancellation of Monday evening's opening game against Jersey due to a frozen pitch, Colhoun put out an experimental side to face future Centenary Shield opponents Northern Ireland, and his side lost 2-1 in the end:

The third game of the invitational friendly tournament in St Helier saw Ireland take on Guernsey last night, but the clash with Northern Ireland was the big one and the coach is happy with what he got from the game:

"I suppose we're disappointed with the result, but it was a good learning experience for us ahead of playing Northern Ireland in the centenary shield," said Colhoun:

"They were very strong and they have a good side this year: Very competitive:

"The game itself was actually a case of us dominating the first half and not converting our opportunities and getting caught on the break:

"It is good in a way because having lost we have learned a bit about ourselves and a bit about Northern Ireland also: I was a bit apprehensive about what we would get from this game, but I am glad with the points we take from this one:"

Despite dominating the opening phases of the first half, Ireland could have found themselves two goals down at half time, after Northern Ireland followed up a nicely taken counter/attack goal with a free kick that struck the bar:

Winger Brian Gaffney was unfortunate not to get more of a connection on his second/half clearance that gifted Northern Ireland a second goal, and defender Philip Knight pulled one back late on when he rose highest to meet a free kick:

"Also, putting out the experimental side, it means that I have learned a bit more about lads who I wouldn't have been able to give a chance in a competitive game, and it broadens our options for the Centenary Shield," said Colhoun:

"I am very positive about it because of what we learned:

"It wasn't even just the match that was beneficial to us, but being able to have a couple of training sessions over here was a big plus too:

"For obvious reasons, it is great to be able to get the lads together and get them used to each other that bit more than they would get the chance to throughout the year:"

The Centenary Shield competition begins at the end of the month, with Ireland facing Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England looking to maintain their unbeaten run in the competition since first entering:

Ireland: Aaron McCarry, Neil Hardy, Andy Boyle, Philip Knight, Eoin Orlborough, Brian Gaffney, Jason Shoe, Paul Corry, Gavin Broll, Cillian Morrison, Shane Howard:

/ Gavin Earley

With Northern Ireland winning all two fixtures, the memorial trophy was presented to Northern Ireland’s tournament captains Craig Hill and Aaron McElwee by Gary, Katie and Michael Nicholson, husband and children, respectively, of the late Lynn Nicholson: