O’Brien names squad ahead of Aussie clash

Under 18 Boys’ | Schools International Friendly

Saturday, January 11, 2024 

THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS will open their International account against Australia at Home Farm FC, Whitehall next Saturday, January 18 (2.0).

Head Coach Derek O’BRIEN (Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore) has named an experimental side to face the Socceroos’. His final preparations were hampered last week with the inclement weather conditions but he’s confident the players will impress as they attempt to stake a claim for the season ahead. 

O’Brien has said, “We are really looking forward to welcoming Australia again this year, it is always a fantastic test for our squad in preparations for our Shield fixtures. The players have been working hard over the last number of months with their provinces and with us to get to this point, so it is a real honour for them to get to line out this weekend. This will also be a great chance for the staff to see how the squad is progressing and a brilliant opportunity for the players to try to claim a spot in the squad for our upcoming games”.

The Republic of Ireland will take on Wales in their opening fixture on March 20 in Tramore AFC while a week later, they will travel to Stenhousemuir to take on Scotland on March 27. The penultimate fixture will see them take on defending Champions Northern Ireland in Belfast on April 11 while they finish their season at home to England on April 24 in Athlone Town AFC.

The scholars will be hoping for a positive start to proceedings next week when they take on a physically imposing Australian outfit.

Last year, the Aussies won 2-1 thanks to first half goals from Lachlan MIDDLETON on 23 minutes and Noah MAIERONI three minutes later as they headed into the break with a firm advantage. However, Ireland grabbed one back through second half substitute Calum COSTELLO (Comeragh College, Carrick on Suir) with 20 minutes remaining but, in the end, just couldn’t convert the vital goal to draw the sides level.

The visitors 2025 tour fell afoul of the weather as last night’s game against England Independent Schools in Shrewsbury was called off due to a frozen pitch. They will however have two matches under their belt before the face off against the Republic. They’re scheduled to play Welsh Colleges and Welsh Schools during the week, so they’ll be well versed with the standards of football involved.

Next Saturday’s test will be the fourteenth time these sides will have met, with the visitors having enjoyed the upper hand, with six wins, five defeats and two draws to their credit.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS SELECT | Kyle GABBIDON (Coola Post Primary School, Sligo), Sam NEVILLE, Ethan CHEESE (both Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge), Aaron CASS (Abbey Community College, Ferrybank), Alain KIZENGA (St. Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue), James MORAHAN, MacDaragh SCANLON, Billy REGAN (all St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway), Luke DOOLAN (St. Brendan’s College, Killarney), Jack SWEENEY (Merlin College, Galway), Adam NOLAN (Maynooth Community College), Fionn McNAMARA (St. Patrick’s College, Cavan), Rhys KNIGHT (Clonkeen College, Blackrock), Callum LYNCH (Summerhill College, Sligo), Matt JONES (St. Flannan’s College, Ennis), Oisín KELLY (Ballyhaunis Community School), Jayden O’DONOVAN (St. Clement’s College, Limerick), Eoin HANNON (Presentation College, Athenry)

EXTENDED PANEL |  Jacob CARROLL (St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway), Shaun HALL (Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge), Luke MULLIGAN (Ballybay Community College, Monaghan), Daniel CUNNINGHAM (Coláiste na Carraige, Carrick, Donegal).

MANAGEMENT |  Derek O’BRIEN, Head Coach (Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore), Alan MURPHY, Coach (St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway) Ollie HORGAN, Coach (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), John POWER, GK Coach, Martin CAVANAGH, Equipment Manager (Carndonagh Community School), Michael McGLYNN (Physio), Dr. Aidan O’COLMAIN (Team Doctor)

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