THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U18 Boys made it back-to-back wins in their opening two games of their SAFIB Centenary Shield campaign with a hard-fought victory over Scotland in Athlone Town AFC yesterday. Archie BEATON opened the scoring for the visitors nine minutes in. Ireland shot-stopper Shane Hallihan (St. Colman’s College, Fermoy) had got down well to clear Rory Mackay’s initial strike from the edge of the box. Unfortunately, an Irish defender squared the loose ball across goal as Mackay fed Beaton for an easy tap in six yards out. Ireland were unlucky not to find themselves level two minutes later as Merlin College talisman Jack Sweeney’s attempt hit the butt of the post. Blackrock College pupil Conor O’Neill had a shot from distance just before the half hour before Shane Hallihan pulled off another excellent save to stop Jack O’Rourke’s stinging effort. With the game in added time, Ireland got a throw-in down the left flank with Rowan McGroarty finding Jack Garrett as the Tipperary student swung the ball into the danger zone. Keeper Mitchell couldn’t contain the ball overhead as it spilled out of his grasp and over the line, one apiece at the break. Sweeney had a few good chances in the second period, but Scotland’s number one was equal to the challenge with a few nice intercepts to keep his side in contention. Super sub-Robert KEANE (CBS The Green, Tralee) making his debut in the competition was only on the park a matter of minutes when he poked home the vital goal eight minutes from time to make it 2-1. St. Munchin’s College grad Charlie Campbell rounded one defender to see his strike blocked but the ball rebounded nicely for Keane to slot in from close range.
NEXT UP: The Republic of Ireland have six points in the bag as all eyes will be on next week’s showdown when Wales travel to Belfast to take on Northern Ireland on Wednesday, April 8 (7.0). The final outing of the series will see the Republic travel to Llandudno to fulfil the fixture cancelled on March 12 due to high winds. The game is scheduled for Thursday, April 23 (1.0) with possibly a winner takes all tie.
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)
SUBS USED | Peter SWEENEY (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar) for McKeon (42), Mason MURPHY (St. Paul’s Community College, Waterford) for MacBride (HT), Luke CULLEN (Salesian College, Celbridge) for Hallihan (HT), Robert KEANE (CBS The Green, Tralee) for Garrett (77), Ross RUANE DALTON (Ballyhaunis Community School) for Campbell (86)
SUBS NOT USED | 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)
