Press Release: Friday, February 26, 2016
Centenary Shield kicks off with draw
Scotland 1-1 Northern Ireland
Cunningham (65), Shelvin (60)
THE INSPIRESPORT CENTENARY SHIELD opened its campaign for 2016 with a share of the spoils for Scotland and Northern Ireland in Lesser Hampden, Glasgow tonight (February 26).
Substitute Matthew Shelvin (Ballymena Academy) opened the scoring for the visitors on the hour mark but this was cancelled out five minutes later with a delightful header from Hamilton Grammar student John Cunningham. With 3 minutes of injury time played, Shelvin thought be hit the match winner only to be ruled off side. The stalmate remained and a point apiece awarded for the energetic outing.
Northern Ireland have a quick turnaround with the boys back in action next Friday at home to 2014 Champions England in Comber FC (4pm). Joint Managers Conor Marlin and Frankie Wilson will be hoping to build on this fine performance with a win under their belts before they travel to Arklow Town FC to take on the Republic of Ireland in their penultimate decider on St. Patrick’s Day. The North will finish their Shield outing with a home game against the Welsh on April 15.
The Scots will enjoy home advantage as they take on Wales on March 24 so they have plenty of time to recover from tonight’s encounter and analysis what needs to be improved upon. April 1 sees the tartan army travel to Fleetwood Town to take on England while Paddy O’Reilly’s men will meet the Scots on April 14 in Killarney Celtic FC.
The Republic of Ireland will finish their campaign away to Wales on April 28. The Republic of Ireland will be hoping to retain the title that night so it’s all to play for in the coming weeks.
SCOTLAND: Wilson, Banner, Kirkwood, MacDonald, Cook, Manson, Kesson, Reid, Cunningham, Strachan, Martin.
SUBS: Morton, Smith for Kesson (60), Laing for Kirkwood (67), McRitchie, Kane for Martin (HT), Koshoedo for Manson (HT), MacLeod for Strachan (78)
NORTHERN IRELAND: Ferguson, Wilson, McCracken, Marron, Hamill, Nimick, Young, Anderson, McCaw, Henry, Ferris
SUBS: Kane, Shelvin, Toland, Neale, Kerr, Cafolla, Connery
Inspiresport Centenary Shield RESULTS
Friday, February 26 Scotland 1-1 Northern Ireland in Lesser Hampden, Glasgow, KO 7pm
Inspiresport Centenary Shield FIXTURES
Friday, March 4 Northern Ireland vs England in Comber, KO 4pm
Thursday, March 17 Republic of Ireland vs Northern Ireland in Arklow Town FC, KO 1pm
Friday, March 18 Wales vs England in The Book People Stadium, Bangor City FC, KO 7pm
Thursday, March 24 Scotland vs Wales in Harlow Park, Inverurie Local Works FC, KO 7.30pm
Friday, April 1 England vs Scotland in Highbury Stadium, Fleetwood Town FC, KO 7pm
Friday, April 8 England vs Republic of Ireland in Park Hall Stadium, The New Saints FC, Oswestry, KO 7.30pm
Thursday, April 14 Republic of Ireland vs Scotland in Killarney Celtic FC, KO 7pm
Friday, April 15 Northern Ireland vs Wales in Comber FC, KO 4.30pm
Thursday, April 28 Wales vs Republic of Ireland in Llandudno, KO 7pm