Two Galway Students Aiming to Help Ireland in Title Contender Away to Wales

THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS will finish their 2026 SAFIB Centenary Shield campaign when they take on Wales this Thursday, April 23 in Llandudno FC (4G) in the last of the six-match series.

What should have been Ireland’s first fixture this season was postponed due to high winds in Llandudno on March 12. As it transpires, it will be a winner-takes-all battle in the Welsh coastal town.

The Republic of Ireland opened their account with a solid 4-0 victory over Northern Ireland in Athlone at the end of last month courtesy of a brace from Noah O’BRIEN either side of the half while Jack SWEENEY and Ross RUANE DALTON also converted brilliantly.

Alan Murphy’s side followed this up with a hard fought 2-1 win over Scotland in the same venue at the start of April. An OG at the stroke of half time for the hosts cancelled Archie Beaton’s strike nine minutes in to leave it all square at the break.

Substitute Robert KEANE came off the bench to snatch the match-winner eight minutes from time for Ireland.

Meanwhile Wales have converted nine goals in two games with victories away to Scotland (2-5) and Northern Ireland (2-4) which leaves them in prime position alongside Alan Murphy’s crew. Crucially the Welsh Dragons will have home advantage for this crunch encounter.

Wales last won the SAFIB Centenary Shield in 2023, sharing the title with England while they won the competition outright in 2022. Marc Llyod Williams will want his team to return to winning ways with victory in their final outing of the 2026 campaign.

You must go all the way back to 2018 when the Republic of Ireland last clinched the title with William O’CONNOR (Balbriggan Community College) claiming the title in his debut season.

Can Alan Murphy (St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway) replicate such success on Thursday with his current crop of young starlets?

Murphy will stick with the same squad that featured against Scotland. Robert KEANE (CBS The Green, Tralee) keeps his spot in the squad following his fabulous debut against Scotland.

Also retained are Under 19 International duo Luke CULLEN (Salesian College, Celbridge) and Seán MURPHY (Naas CBS).

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS SELECT | Shane HALLIHAN (St. Colman’s College, Fermoy), Declan PATTON (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), Conor O’NEILL (Blackrock College, Dublin),  Jack SWEENEY (Merlin College, Galway), Jack GARRETT, (The Abbey School, Tipperary Town), Rory McKEON (St. Anne’s Community College, Killaloe), Charlie CAMPBELL (St. Munchin’s College, Corbally), Eamonn MacBRIDE (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar), Peter SWEENEY (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar), Mason MURPHY (St. Paul’s Community College, Waterford), Luke CULLEN (Salesian College, Celbridge), Robert KEANE (CBS The Green, Tralee), Ross RUANE DALTON (Ballyhaunis Community School), Dylan McMENAMY (Holy Family Community School, Rathcoole), Seán MURPHY (Naas CBS)

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, Martin CAVANAGH, Equipment Manager (Carndonagh Community School), Michael McGLYNN (Physio), Dr. Aidan O’COLMAIN (Team Doctor)

==

2026 SAFIB Centenary Shield Results & Fixtures

RESULTS

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)

Wednesday, March 25    Scotland 2-5 Wales, Queen of the South, Dumfries (1.0)

Thursday, March 26         Republic of Ireland 4-0 Northern Ireland, Athlone Town AFC (1.0)

Thursday, April 2               Republic of Ireland 2-1 Scotland, Athlone Town AFC (1.0)

Wednesday, April 8          Northern Ireland 2-4 Wales, Harland & Wolffe Welders (7.0)

FIXTURES

Thursday, April 23            Wales vs Republic of Ireland, Llandudno FC (1.0)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

POTM vs Northern Ireland Noah O’BRIEN (De La Salle College, Waterford)

POTM vs Scotland Rowan McGROARTY (Loreto Community School, Milford)

==

SAFIB Centenary Shield Roll of Honour