SAFIB Centenary Shield | Under 18 Boys’ International
Friday, April 19, 2019
Northern Ireland capture Centenary Shield
Northern Ireland 3-1 Republic of Ireland
Andrew Whiteside (35), Callum Ferris (37, 70), Ross Tierney (58)
A 3-1 defeat on a disappointing evening in Belfast put paid to the Republic of Ireland Schools’ chances of retaining the SAFIB Centenary Shield and saw Northern Ireland claim outright victory in the five nation competition for the first time since 2013 last night (April 18) in Queens University reports John HUDSON.
The home side’s win clinched the top spot three points ahead of England and left the Republic still awaiting their first victory in the Shield after a draw in Scotland followed by a defeat to England at Dalymount Park last Friday night.
Their final game against Wales in Home Farm FC next Thursday (April 25) will give William O’Connor’s squad the opportunity to claim a first win and take the third position.
The Republic had the better of the first half up until the final ten minutes when they managed to concede two goals in the space of a couple of minutes.
Earlier Colin Kelly (St. Joseph’s College) might have opened the scoring with a dangerous cross ball effort that forced full back Malachy Smith to head over his own crossbar with goalkeeper Ruadhan McKenna well beaten.
Then Yeats College star Dónal Higgins burst through from midfield and tested McKenna with a smart volley.
Carndonagh CS pupil Jack Doherty popped up moments later but his effort sailed over the upright following good work from Kelly and Bermingham.
The best chance came on the half hour mark with Trim youngster James Clarke delivering a high ball in front the left that left McKenna scrambling to push over the crossbar and from the resulting short corner Kelly’s thunderous drive struck the underside of the bar and rebound to safety.
Again Clarke, Doherty and Higgins combined well as Bermingham hit the side netting moments later.
That was as good as it got for the visitors as shortly after Northern Ireland went ahead.
McKenna’s long clearance wasn't dealt with by the Republic defenders and Andrew Whiteside was allowed to run on and beat a helpless David Odumosu.
Minutes later things got worse as Callum Ferris doubled the lead when he followed up to beat Odumosu from close in after his initial headed had been parred by the Republic ‘keeper.
The introduction of Ross Tierney for Clarke at half time sparked the prospect of a come-back for O’Connor’s side and the lively Tierney of St. Aidan’s CBS, Whitehall did manage to pull a goal back on 58 minutes.
Coming in off the left flank Tierney worked his way close to the back line and his finish from a narrow angle beat McKenna at this near post.
Later Brandon Bermingham (St. Mary’s DS, Drogheda) might have struck the equaliser but his effort was easily gathered by McKenna.
Callum Ferris sealed the win for Northern Ireland with 20 minutes remaining when he cleverly turned the ball past Odumosu after connecting with a well delivered Smith free kick.
The Republic of Ireland will conclude this season’s Centenary Shield series as they entertain the Welsh dragons in Whitehall on Thursday evening. A win for O’Connor’s side would be sufficient for the scholar’s endeavours all year.
NORTHERN IRELAND | Ruadhan McKenna (Rathmore Grammar), Malachy Smith (Breda Academy), Ruari O’Hare (St. Patrick’s Downpatrick), Lewis McGarvey (St. Malachy’s Belfast), Patrick Burns Capt. (St. Malachy’s Belfast); Jake Corbett (SERC Lisburn), Liam Hassin (Larne High); Sam Robb (Fivemiletown College), Andrew Whiteside (Coleraine GS), Ryan Carmichael (St. Patrick’s Academy Dungannon), Callum Ferris (NIFL Academy).
SUBS USED | Trai Hume (NIFL Academy) for Robb 61, Calvin McCurry (De La Salle Belfast) for Whiteside 63, Sean Og Gallagher (Trinity College Belfast) for Ferris 75.
SUBS NOT USED | Jack Bradley (St. Joseph’s Boys’ Derry), Josh Largo-Ellis (St. Michael’s Enniskillen), Ben Fry, Callum McVeigh.
MANAGEMENT | Frankie Wilson (Manager), Simon Nicks (Coach), Linda Fettus (Physio)
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND | David Odumosu (O’Fiaich College, Dundalk), Matthew O’Reilly (Midleton CBS), Josh Honohan (St. Francis College, Rochestown), Reece Murphy (Wexford CBS), Adam Lynch (Summerhill College), Jack Doherty (Carndonagh Community School), Niall O’Keeffe Capt. (De La Salle College, Waterford); Colin Kelly (St. Joseph’s College, Galway), Dónal Higgins (Yeats College, Galway), James Clarke (Boyne Community School, Trim); Brandon Bermingham (St. Mary’s Diocesan School, Drogheda).
SUBS USED | Ross Tierney (St. Aidan’s CBS, Whitehall) for Clarke h-t, Corey McBride (Carndonagh Community School) for Doherty 71, Jack O’Connor (St. Louis Community School) for Kelly 71, Keith Carter (Colaiste Choilm Swords) for Murphy 75.
SUBS NOT USED | Lee McLaughlin (Carndonagh Community School), Daragh Ellison (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), Jamie Cleary (Drimnagh Castle CBS).
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), Derek O’BRIEN, Equipment Manager (Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore), Michael McGLYNN (Physio), Dr. Aidan O’COLMAIN (Team Doctor).
REFEREE | Simon McKay (Belfast)
CENTENARY SHIELD RESULTS
MD1 | Thursday, March 7 | Northern Ireland 1-0 Scotland | Crusaders FC | Kick Off 3pm
MD2 | Friday, March 8 | England 0-1 Wales | Slough Town FC | Kick Off 7pm
MD3 | Thursday, March 14 | Wales 0-1 Northern Ireland | Aberystwyth Town FC | Kick Off 7pm
MD4 | Friday, March 22 | Scotland 0-2 England | Inveririe Loco FC | Kick Off 7pm
MD5 | Thursday, March 28 | Scotland 1-1 Republic of Ireland | Ayr United FC | Kick Off 7pm
MD6 | Friday, April 5 | England 0-0 Northern Ireland | Redditch United FC | Kick Off 7pm
MD7 | Thursday, April 11 | Wales 1-2 Scotland | Cefn Druids FC | Kick Off 7pm
MD8 | Friday, April 12 | Republic of Ireland 0-2 England | Dalymount Park | Kick Off 7pm
MD9 | Thursday, April 18 | Northern Ireland3-1 Republic of Ireland | Queens University | Kick Off 6pm
CENTENARY SHIELD FIXTURE
MD10 | Thursday, April 25 | Republic of Ireland vs Wales | Home Farm FC | Kick Off 7pm
END
