Republic of Ireland travel to the Stadium of Light in search of silverware
The Republic of Ireland travel to Sunderland undefeated in the Centenary Shield when they take on England in the Stadium of Light on Friday 18 April (7pm).
Sean Carr’s men have seen off the challenges of Wales and Northern Ireland and drew with Scotland in this year’s campaign.
The team will be boosted by the return of Captain Robert Creevy who missed a number of games due to club commitments with Shamrock Rovers and gallant defender Mark O’Reilly who picked up an injury while playing against Wales. The Irish are optimistic about this crunch encounter and will be hoping for success in their biggest test to date.
John Mulroy has scored a hat-trick of goals for Ireland in this competition and will be hoping to improve on his goal scoring ability in front of the travelling Irish.
England are just one point behind league leaders, the Republic of Ireland, but have a game in hand. The two teams will face each other in what could prove a crucial match in deciding the winners of this season’s SAFIB Centenary Shield.
England have defeated Wales and Northern Ireland in their opening encounters. England’s last Centenary Shield match will be against Scotland in Wembley Stadium on Saturday 26 April.
Tickets for the England v Republic of Ireland game cost £5 adults and £2 Under-16s, and are available from Durham County Schools FA representative Phil Cunningham by calling 0191 488 6625, 07729 850082 (mobile), or e-mail: phil.cunningham@talktalk.net.
Republic of Ireland: Mark McGinley (PCC Falcarragh, Letterkenny), David Webster (Templeogue College), Peter Acheson (Rockwell College, Cashel), Gary Murphy (Oatlands College, Stillorgan), Philip Knight (Clonkeen College, Blackrock) Declan Edwards (Blackrock College) Jack Flynn (Belvedere College), Sean Houston (St. Eunan’s Letterkenny), Philip Hand (Chanel College, Dublin), John Mulroy (Moyle Park College, Clondalkin), Shane Clarke (Limerick CBS), Jake Kelly (St. Laurance College), Jason Hughes (Limerick CBS), Patrick Madden (Chanel College), Brian Collopy (Limerick CBS), Kevin Barry (Limerick CBS), Oisin McMenamin (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), Gerard Cheevers (St. Mary’s College, Galway), Robert Creevy (Salesian College, Celbridge), Mark O’Reilly (Chanel College, Dublin).
Manager: Sean Carr (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), Assistant Manager: Dave Archbold (Palmerstown School), Coach: Hugh Colhoun (St. Laurance College, Loughlinstown)
LEAGUE TABLE
TEAMS P W D L F A PTS
Republic of Ireland 3 2 1 0 6 3 7
England 2 2 0 0 3 1 6
Scotland 3 1 2 0 6 4 5
Northern Ireland 4 1 1 2 5 6 4
Wales 4 0 0 4 3 9 0
Placings are calculated on points only: 15 April 2008
END