Centenary Shield | U18 Boys’ International
Press Release: Friday, March 31, 2017
Students travel to Renfrew to take on Scots
Scotland vs Republic of Ireland
Renfrew Park
Thursday, April 6, KO 7pm
The Republic of Ireland Schools select are in good standing heading into their penultimate fixture of this season’s Inspiresport Centenary Shield with two wins from two.
Paddy O’Reilly’s crew have enjoyed the luck of the Irish in their last two contests.
A late minute penalty in their opening game against Wales ensured a good start to their campaign. St. Andrew’s student Neil Farrugia opened the scoring for the hosts just before the interval but this was cancelled out 11 minutes into the restart as Conor Harwood equalised for the Welsh. The Irish were awarded a penalty two minutes into injury time for Clonkeen College scholar Seán McDonald to slot home for a vital three points.
This slender victory was followed up with an equally impressive outing against Northern Ireland in Bangor as they came from a goal down at half time to finish with a late flourish thanks to an 80th minute equaliser from Carrigaline star Alec Byrne followed up four minutes later by St. Andrew’s pupil Neil Farrugia to bag the match winner.
A must win game in Glasgow for the Republic if they are to keep their title dreams alive. O’Reilly’s men will then face England in their final game at home to defending Champions England on April 13 at Home Farm FC.
Scotland on the other hand have played three, with two defeats and one win to their credit. The tartan army lost out this afternoon (March 31) to Northern Ireland after a late resurgence from the hosts as Scotland took the lead courtesy of Adam Brown on 47 minutes. However Northern Ireland drew level with 88 minutes on the clock through Ryan Strain, with the match winner coming a minute later as Fra Nolan netted for Frank Wilson’s squad.
The Scots did however find form in their previous outing away to Wales as they put five past them to cruise to a 1-5 victory.
Their opening day was less of a success when they played England at home suffering a crushing 5-1 defeat to the Lions.
No doubt Scotland will be well up for this crunch encounter as they need to get points on the board and ensure a reasonable finish to their season on home soil.
O’Reilly will have to do without the services of defender Shane Blaney, St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny and striker Neil Farrugia, St. Andrew’s College, Blackrock as the duo were ruled out due to injury. A major blow for the squad as both players have been in prolific form for the Schools select recently. This however, will see the return of Seán McBride, St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar and newbie Jack Ryan, Templeogue College who will be looking for some valuable game time to impress the boss.
Following the game on Thursday evening, it will leave three games outstanding in the Shield as Wales will take on Northern Ireland on April 12 in Cardiff while the Republic of Ireland will host England the following night, April 13. The final game of the series will see England host Wales in Bristol Rovers on April 21. Hopefully the Irish will still be in contention to be crowned 2017 Winners that evening if they can clinch a win in Glasgow!
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND | Paul MARTIN (Presentation De La Salle, Bagenalstown) James CARROLL (St. Oliver’s Community College, Drogheda), Darryl WALSH (St. Declan’s Community College, Waterford), Evan MURPHY (St. Enda’s College, Salthill), Jack RYAN (Templeogue College), Alec BYRNE (Carrigaline Community School), John MAHON (Coola Post Primary School), John MARTIN (Presentation De La Salle, Bagenalstown), Ronan MANNING (Calasanctius College, Oranmore), Neill BYRNE (Dunshaughlin Community College), Seán McBRIDE (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar), Seán McDONALD (Clonkeen College, Blackrock), Tunmise SOBOWALE (Mount Sion CBS, Waterford), Connor GORMLEY (Loreto Community School, Milford), Conor LAYNG (Athlone Community College), Jamie BELL (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar), Vinny QUINLAN (Gorey Community School), Steven NOLAN (St. Aidan’s CBS, Whitehall)
SCOTLAND | Fallens, Banner, Kelly, Bollan, N Brown, McGroary, O’Reilly, Ballantyne, A Brown, Reilly, Dunne
SUBS | Connelly, Stanger, Chapman, Bruce, Sweeney
2017 Centenary Shield
Results
February 16 Republic of Ireland 2-1 Wales Home Farm FC, Whitehall (2.30pm)
March 2 Northern Ireland 1-2 Republic of Ireland Bangor Fuels Arena, Bangor FC (3pm)
March 3 Scotland 1-5 England Cappielow Park, Greenock (7pm)
March 17 Wales 1-5 Scotland Bala FC (7pm)
March 24 England 1-4 Northern Ireland Torquay United FC (7pm)
March 31 Northern Ireland 2-1 Scotland Cliftonville, Belfast (3pm)
Fixtures
April 6 Scotland vs Republic of Ireland Renfrew Park (7pm)
April 12 Wales vs Northern Ireland Cardiff Metropolitan University FC (7pm)
April 13 Republic of Ireland vs England Home Farm FC, Whitehall (7pm)
April 21 England vs Wales Bristol Rovers FC (7pm)
2017 Centenary Shield League Table
|
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
Pts |
|
Republic of Ireland |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
|
Northern Ireland |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
7 |
4 |
3 |
6 |
|
England |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
5 |
1 |
3 |
|
Scotland |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
7 |
8 |
-1 |
3 |
|
Wales |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
-5 |
0 |
Points as of March 31
END