PREVIEW | Northern Ireland vs Republic of Ireland

SAFIB Centenary Shield | Under 18 Boys’ International

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Penultimate showdown with North

THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS will travel to Belfast this week to take on current holders Northern Ireland in their penultimate outing of the Centenary Shield in Blanchflower Stadium on Friday, April 11 (7.0).

Derek O’Brien’s side will be without the services of goalkeeperKyle GABBIDON (Coola Post Primary School, Sligo) for this clash as Ulster netminder Corey SHERIDAN (Coláiste Cholmcille, Ballyshannon) has been called in. The squad are bolstered by the return of Fionn McNAMARA (St. Patrick’s College, Cavan) who takes the place of Ethan CHEESE (Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge) in the 18-man squad.

The Republic of Ireland have not collected any points in their two previous outings as they lost 1-0 to Wales in Tramore on the opening day while it was a similar defeat away to Scotland a week later. O’Brien’s side were left frustrated with a raft of goal scoring opportunities not capitalised on! The squad will be hoping to reverse this trend on Friday evening.   

Their opposition on the other hand are sitting well in contention with four points from a possible six collected. Simon Nicks’ side won 2-0 away to England while they played out a dramatic 3-3 draw at home to Scotland last week. Both sides were unbeaten going into that game, through it was in the 96^th minute when Scotland fired home the equaliser through Frazer Rodger. Northern Ireland pulled back twice in the first half before taking the lead in the 83^rd minutes spurring Scotland on for a pulsating conclusion. 

Northern Ireland finish their campaign away to Wales while the Republic of Ireland will entertain England in their final game. Both fixtures are scheduled for Thursday, April 24 (7.0)

Scotland will play a waiting game having completed all four games, with victories over England (6-2) and the Republic of Ireland (1-0), while they drew against Wales (1-1) and Northern Ireland (3-3), with 8 points gathered. 

It will be the second outing of the night on Friday as England take on Wales in Macclesfield at the same time.

Wales are in a similar postition to Northern Ireland with a win and a draw on the board while England are sitting close to the Republic with 2 defeats from 2. 

It’s an important night with four teams doing battle for vital points before the close in a fortnight’s time.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS | Corey SHERIDAN (Coláiste Choilm, Ballyshannon), Alain KIZENGA (St. Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue), MacDaragh SCANLON, Jacob CARROLL, James MORAHAN, Billy REGAN (all St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway), Luke DOOLAN (St. Brendan’s College, Killarney), Adam NOLAN (Maynooth Community College), Rhys KNIGHT (Clonkeen College, Blackrock), Callum LYNCH (Summerhill College, Sligo), Matt JONES (St. Flannan’s College, Ennis), Oisín KELLY (Ballyhaunis Community School), Adam BRENNAN (Hartstown Community School), Sam NEVILLE (Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge) Jack SWEENEY (Merlin College, Galway), Daniel CUNNINGHAM (Coláiste na Carraige, Carrick, Donegal), Aaron CASS (Abbey Community College, Ferrybank), Fionn McNAMARA (St. Patrick’s College, Cavan)

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)

NORTHERN IRELAND  | Oisin Murray, Ben Wilson, Ciaran Rodgers Duffy, James Hood, James Simpson, Aidan Tejada, James McClure, Sam McClintock, Joseph Sheridan, Keevan Hawthorne, Milo Beimers, Owen O’Neill, Paul McGovern, Josh Williamson, Michael Harkin, Sam Sproule, Cal Weatherup, Oilibhear McCart, Brandon Downey, Callum Cowan, Senan Devine ©, Caoimhin McDermott

MANAGEMENT | Simon Nicks, Neil McGaughey, Richard Clarke, Eamon Curry, James McGaughey

2025 SAFIB Centenary Shield

RESULTS

February 28        Scotland 6-2 England Greenock Morton (1.0)

March 14              Wales 1-1 Scotland, Airbus FC (1.0)

March 14              England 0-2 Northern Ireland, Truro (7.3)

March 20             Republic of Ireland 0-1 Wales, Graun Park, Tramore (1.0)

March 27             Scotland 1-0 Republic of Ireland, Stenhousemuir (1.0)

April 4                  Northern Ireland 3-3 Scotland, Blanchflower Stadium (7.0)

FIXTURES

April 11                  England vs Wales, Macclesfield (7.0)

April 11                  Northern Ireland vs Republic of Ireland, Blanchflower Stadium (7.0)

April 24                Republic of Ireland vs England, Athlone Town AFC (7.0)

April 24                Wales vs Northern Ireland, Briton Ferry FC (7.0)

PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS

Head to Head Republic of Ireland vs Northern Ireland | 20  encounters | 8 wins, 6 draws, 6 defeats