Carnegie Centenary Shield
Ireland share the spoils with Scotland
13 March 2009
The U18 FAI Schools (Boys) drew 1-1 with Scotland in their second competitive fixture of the Carnegie Centenary Shield tonight (13 March) in Hearts FC, Tynecastle.
Captain, Jason Hughes passed a late fitness test to confirm his place on the starting eleven with sharp shooters, James Keohane, CBS Kilkenny and Shane Howard, Colaiste Eoin.
Keohane and Howard both got on the score sheet for Ireland with their 3-1 victory of a weak Welsh outfit a fortnight ago. A notable absence from the team was Ireland’s third goal scorer Andrew Boyle.
Boyle had to withdraw from the squad late in the week citing club commitments with UCD. Danny Fallon of Sancta Maria College was called up as a valid replacement.
Ireland will be disappointed not to have come away with the full three points as they missed chance upon chance to secure a second victory for Hugh Colhoun’s troops. “The boys just didn’t capitalise on their chances in front of the posts” noted a frustrated Colhoun after the game.
The Irish took the lead with 35 minutes played when Carl Forsyth rounded a number of defenders to slot coolly past the Scot’s keeper, Ross Laidlaw to finish in the bottom corner.
Unfortunately, Ireland didn’t enjoy the upper hand for too long as two minutes later, Jamie Burstow equalised to the delight of a good home following. The goal came as a result of inadequate ball control from defender Harney, who’s mishap gave Burstow the time to slot the ball past McCarey with a clinical finish.
Half time approached with Jason Hughes coming closest in the 43rd minute.
Dundalk’s Eoghan Osborne was introduced in the second half for Ian Storan. This change seemed to work well as Osbourne increased the productivity of quality ball into the two front men, Forsyth and Howard.
A tireless Forsyth came close for Ireland ten minutes into the second period but good defending from Gregg Munn saved Scotland’s blushes.
Not to be outdone, strike partner Shane Howard impressed with some fancy footwork but his effort soon after slid past the post to deny the Irish yet again on the hour mark.
A snap shot from Hughes three minutes later sailed over the upright.
Monaghan youngster, Aaron McCarey made a brace of fine saves to keep Ireland in contention midway through the second half.
A number of substitutes were made with Colhoun calling upon the services of Jason Dwane, St. Peter’s College, Eoin Hanrahan, CBS Sexton Street, Limerick and Robert Benson, Marist College to add some pace and physicality to the tiring side.
The team were quick to re-adjust to the new formation and Hanrahan’s superiority in the air was a welcome addition. However his final touch needed better direction with 81 minutes played when his pile driver dipped wide of the right post.
Ireland looked to intensify their pressure on goal but were unfortunate not be more clinical in their finishing with missed opportunities increasing to double figures.
The draw levels Ireland on four points with two games played. Northern Ireland and England are level with three points with a game in hand.
The Republic face Northern Ireland away next Friday, 20 March in the Riada Stadium, Ballymoney, a must win game for Colhoun’s charges (KO 7pm).
England will be best placed in the competition as they don’t kick off their second fixture until 27 March when they face Northern Ireland with home advantage. They then play Scotland away on 17 April.
The final game of the campaign sees the Republic of Ireland host England in the RSC, Waterford on 24 April which will be televised live on Sky Sports (KO 7.35pm).
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Aaron MCCAREY St. Macartan’s College, Garvan BROUGHALL Athlone Community College, Tomas BOYLE Salesian College, Ian STORAN Crescent College Comprehensive, Neil HARNEY St. Aloysius College, Jason HUGHES CBS Sexton Street, Limerick, Paul CORRY Belvedere College, James KEOHANE CBS Kilkenny, Gary BURKE Larkin Community College, Carl FORSYTH Cabinteely Community School, Shane HOWARD Colaiste Eoin, Carlow
Subs: Eoghan OSBORNE Colaiste Ris, Dundalk for Ian STORAN (45), Jason DWANE St. Peter’s College, Dunboyne for Neil HARNEY, Eoin HANRAHAN CBS Sexton Street, Limerick for James KEOHANE, Robert BENSON Marist College, Athlone for Carl FORSYTH, Danny FALLON Sancta Maria College, Brian GAFFNEY St. Joseph’s College, Galway, David QUIRKE St. Patrick’s College, Navan
Manager; Hugh Colhoun St. Laurance College, Loughlinstown, Assistant Manager; Dave Archbold Palmerstown Community School, Coach; Ollie Horgan St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny, GK Coach; Ian Carry FAI Schools Development Officer, Physio; Mickey McGlynn, Doctor; Aidan O’Colmain
END