The Republic of Ireland Under 18 Boys Schools will take on their counterparts from Northern Ireland this Thursday, March 26 in Athlone Town AFC (1.0).
Head Coach Alan Murphy is excited to get their season off to a positive start following the postponement of the Welsh fixture a fortnight ago. The squad had travelled to Llandudno, but the game was called off for safety reasons due to high winds.
Scotland and Northern Ireland played out a one-all draw in the opening game of the campaign earlier this month, while Wales and Scotland will play on Wednesday afternoon, March 25, in the second of a six-match series.
There are two changes to the Republic of Ireland squad from the Welsh trip as goalkeeper Luke CULLEN (Salesian College, Celbridge) and Schools’ Captain Seán MURPHY (Naas CBS) have been called into John Cotter’s Under 19s squad.
Murphy has opted to call up netminder Igor BACELA (Waterpark College, Waterford) and Shay CASEY (St. Mary’s College, Dundalk) as dependable replacements.
Last season, Merlin College pupil Jack SWEENEY came off the bench to bag himself a hat-trick against Northern Ireland as they were comfortable winners over their hosts in Blanchflower Park. Adam BRENNAN (Hartstown Community School), Rhys KNIGHT (Clonkeen College) and Sam NEVILLE (Patrician Secondar School, Newbridge) were also on the scoresheet, winning out 6-2 on the night.
Following the Northern Ireland clash, the Republic of Ireland will entertain Scotland in Athlone seven days later, April 2. While Northern Ireland will take on Wales in Harland & Wolff Welders FC on April 8. The Republic of Ireland’s refixture with Wales has yet to be rescheduled.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS SELECT | Igor BACELA (Waterpark College, Waterford), Declan PATTON, Eamonn MacBRIDE, Peter SWEENEY (all St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar), Rowan McGROARTY (Loreto Community School, Milford), James MORAHAN (St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway), Noah O’BRIEN (De La Salle College, Waterford), Charlie CAMPBELL (St. Munchin’s College, Corbally), Conor O’NEILL (Blackrock College, Dublin), Jack SWEENEY (Merlin College, Galway), Mason MURPHY (St. Paul’s Community College, Waterford), Jack GARRETT, (The Abbey School, Tipperary Town), Rory McKEON (St. Anne’s Community College, Killaloe), Daniel COSTELLO (Marist College, Athlone), Shane HALLIHAN (St. Colman’s College, Fermoy), Dylan McMENAMY (Holy Family Community School, Rathcoole), Ross RUANE DALTON (Ballyhaunis Community School), Shay CASEY (St. Mary’s College, Dundalk)
MANAGEMENT | Alan MURPHY, Head Coach (St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway) Conor UHL, Coach (Skibbereen Community School), Oisín McMENAMIN (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar), John POWER, GK Coach, Michael McGLYNN (Physio), Dr. Aidan O’COLMAIN (Team Doctor)
Photo (c) 24 April 2025; Jack Sweeney of Republic of Ireland celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Centenary Shield match between Republic of Ireland and England at Athlone Town Stadium in Lissywollen, Westmeath. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
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2026 SAFIB Centenary Shield Results & Fixtures
RESULT
Thursday, March 5 Scotland 1-1 Northern Ireland, Airdrie FC (1.0)
Thursday, March 12 Wales P-P Republic of Ireland, Llandudno FC (2.0)
FIXTURES
Wednesday, March 25 Scotland vs Wales, Queen of the South, Dumfries (1.0)
Thursday, March 26 Republic of Ireland vs Northern Ireland, Athlone Town AFC (1.0) Live stream will be available for this game
Thursday, April 2 Republic of Ireland vs Scotland, Athlone Town AFC (1.0)
Wednesday, April 8 Northern Ireland vs Wales, Harland & Wolffe Welders (7.0)
