Centenary Shield | Under 18 Boys’ International
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
2019 Shield series kicks off this week
The Republic of Ireland’s defence of the SAFIB Centenary Shield will take shape this week as two games in a ten match day series will take place.
Northern Ireland will be first out of the blocks as they entertain Scotland in Crusaders FC as proceedings get underway on Thursday afternoon (March 7) at 3pm. The last time these two teams met, they played out a scoreless draw in Renfrew FC. Much is expected of both teams this season as their preparations have gone unhindered.
The second day of action will see the English take on Wales in Slough Town FC on Friday night (March 8) with a 7pm kick off scheduled. The Welsh enjoyed the bragging rights last season when they won 1-0 in Cardiff and another exciting fixture is predicted at the end of the week.
William O’Connor’s side will play St. Patrick’s Athletic 19s this Wednesday evening in a friendly in Abbotstown as he toys with a 19 man panel in preparation for their season starter which will see them travel to Ayr United FC to take on the Scots in match day five at the end of the month.
The Republic will then enjoy a three week run as they welcome England to Dalymount Park on April 12 in their second test. O’Connor’s penultimate clash will see them travel to Queen’s University to take on Northern Ireland on April 18. The Shield will conclude with the Republic of Ireland hosting the Welsh dragons in Home Farm on April 25. Both teams will be hoping they’re still in the title race at that stage of the season.
The Republic of Ireland made a very positive start to the season as they enjoyed a hat-trick of goals against Australia in mid-January in their first competitive outing for 2019.
Two first half penalties coolly converted by St. Mary’s DS student Brandon Bermingham set the Republic of Ireland Schools on their way to a convincing 3-0 win over the Australia Schools at Home Farm FC.
Oatlands College grad Jake Ellis added a third with a cracking finish on the hour mark to give William O’Connor’s side their first victory over Australia since 2010 and only the second time they have come out on top in eight recent meetings.
Carndonagh Community School scholar Lee McLaughlin was ruled out for this clash and will relish the outing on Wednesday evening to try and cement his place in the final 18 man selection for the Shield campaign.
O’Connor has another session planned for a fortnight’s time in the Abbotstown venue so the students will be anxious to get going following the completion of the trial process.
SHIELD HONOURS
In the fifteen seasons since being invited into the Shield, Scotland have won it one (a share with Northern Ireland), Northern Ireland have won it five times (four of them shared). England have won it seven times, two of which were shared) and the Republic of Ireland have won it seven times, shared once).
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND EXTENDED PANEL | David Odumosu (O’Fiaich College, Dundalk), Seán McEvoy (Virginia College Cavan), Keith Carter (Colaiste Choilm Swords), Josh Honohan (St. Francis College, Rochestown), Daragh Ellison (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), Corey McBride (Carndonagh Community School), Niall O’Keeffe (De La Salle College, Waterford), Matthew O’Reilly (Midleton CBS, Cork), Colin Kelly (St. Joseph’s College, Galway), Dónal Higgins (Yeats College, Galway), Brandon Bermingham (St. Mary’s Diocesan School, Drogheda), Gearoid Mulligan (Summerhill College, Sligo), Jack Doherty (Carndonagh Community School), Adam Lynch (Summerhill College), Ross Tierney (St. Aidan’s CBS, Whitehall), Jamie Cleary (Drimnagh Castle CBS), James Clarke (Boyne Community School, Trim), Jake Ellis (Oaklands College, Dublin), Lee McLaughlin (Carndonagh Community School)
MANAGEMENT | William O’CONNOR, Head Coach (Balbriggan Community College), John McSHANE, Assistant Coach (Dublin Oak Academy, Bray), Ollie HORGAN, Performance Analyst (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), Conor FOLEY, GK Coach (Athlone Community College), Michael McGLYNN (Physio), Dr. Aidan O’COLMAIN (Team Doctor), Derek O’BRIEN, Equipment Manager (Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore)
CENTENARY SHIELD FIXTURES
MD1 | Thursday, March 7 | Northern Ireland vs Scotland | Crusaders FC | Kick Off 3pm
MD2 | Friday, March 8 | England vs Wales | Slough Town FC | Kick Off 7pm
MD3 | Thursday, March 14 | Wales vs Northern Ireland | Aberystwyth Town FC | Kick Off 7pm
MD4 | Friday, March 22 | Scotland vs England | Inveririe Loco FC | Kick Off 7pm
MD5 | Thursday, March 28 | Scotland vs Republic of Ireland | Ayr United FC | Kick Off 7pm
MD6 | Friday, April 5 | England vs Northern Ireland | Redditch United FC | Kick Off 7pm
MD7 | Thursday, April 11 | Wales vs Scotland | Cefn Druids FC | Kick Off 7pm
MD8 | Friday, April 12 | Republic of Ireland vs England | Bohemian FC | Kick Off 7pm
MD9 | Thursday, April 18 | Northern Ireland vs Republic of Ireland | Queens University | Kick Off 6pm
MD10 | Thursday, April 25 | Republic of Ireland vs Wales | Home Farm FC | Kick Off 7pm
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