THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND Schools select secured runners up spot in the Inspiresport Centenary Shield following their win against their Welsh counterparts in Llandundno last night.
Wales 0-3 Republic of Ireland
Finn Harps duo Gareth Doherty and BJ Banda (pictured above), from St Columba’s College Stranorlar and Raphoe Royal and Prior respectively, started, while Adrian Delap from Derry City came on in the second half.
Gareth Doherty and Adrian Delap. Photo: Stephen Doherty
Carrigaline Community School ace Aaron Drinan got the Irish scholars off to the perfect start with a goal inside six minutes with a splendid 35 yard screamer that curled past Roberts in goal.
Aaron’s second of the night came courtesy of some great play from Banda as he slipped the ball into the path of Eoghan Morgan. The Mount Temple student hit the by-line and squared the ball to the impressive Drinan who made no mistake in front of goal. Two up with 36 minutes played.
The Irish were unfortunate that they didn’t extend their goal tally four minutes from the interval as Captain Jamie Aherne just couldn’t connect with Drinan’s rebounded shot on goal.
Paddy O’Reilly made a number of substitutions in the second half which saw Davitt College pupil Fintan Borotto make his International debut as Banda made way.
Confey College starlet Aherne was lively throughout the first half and kept this momentum going as he forced Roberts into a smart save four minutes into the restart.
The Irish Captain finally got on the scoresheet with a converted penalty on 55 minutes ensuring the tie was out of Welsh reach.
The Irish were in total control in the latter stages as the Welsh were restricted to shots from range. A great finish to the Republic of Ireland Centenary Shield campaign which saw O’Reilly maintain his unbeaten record in this competition.
William O’Connor was the Irish squad’s assistant manager, from Scoil Mhuire SS, Buncrana, while Ollie Horgan from St Eunan’s College was also part of the management team, while Milford native Mickey McGlynn was physio.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Coffey, Morgan, Kane, Scales, McCarthy, Hanney, G Doherty, Drinan, K Doherty, Banda, Aherne (Captain). Subs: Brouder for K Doherty (HT), Borotto for Banda (60), A Delap for G Doherty (65), Chambers for Coffey (73).
WALES: Roberts, Nash, Davies, Jones, Pratt, Woods, Maksimovic, S Jones, A Jones, Bibby, Boyles. Subs: Lovett for A Jones (85), Edwards for Boyles (79), Touray for Maksimovic (75), Kilburn for K Jones (HT), I Jones for Woods half-time).
Friday, February 26 Scotland 1-1 Northern Ireland in Lesser Hampden, Glasgow, KO 7pm
Friday, March 4 Northern Ireland 1-2 England in Comber, KO 4pm
Thursday, March 17 Republic of Ireland 0-0 Northern Ireland in Arklow Town FC, KO 1pm
Friday, March 18 Wales 1-2 England in The Book People Stadium, Bangor City FC, KO 7pm
Thursday, March 24 Scotland 0-1 Wales in Harlow Park, Inverurie Local Works FC, KO 7.30pm
Friday, April 1 England 2-1 Scotland in Highbury Stadium, Fleetwood Town FC, KO 7pm
Friday, April 8 England 2-2 Republic of Ireland in Park Hall Stadium, The New Saints FC, Oswestry, KO 7.30pm
Thursday, April 14 Northern Ireland 2-0 Wales in Comber FC, KO 4.30pm
Thursday, April 14 Republic of Ireland 3-1 Scotland in Celtic Park, Killarney Celtic FC, KO 7pm
Thursday, April 28 Wales 0-3 Republic of Ireland in Llandudno, KO 7pm
Inspiresport Centenary Shield TABLE
| P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts | |
| England | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 10 |
| Republic of Ireland | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Northern Ireland | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| Wales | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 3 |
| Scotland | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 1 |
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