Republic of Ireland v New Zealand, Ballyoulster United FC, Celbridge
Monday, 12 April KO 3pm
09 April 2010
The Republic of Ireland Schools team are only one game away from getting their hands on the coveted Centenary Shield. Dave Archbold’s side must travel to England at the end of the month to face the mighty English for a chance to beat the defending champions on home soil.
Archbold will prepare for this crucial encounter with an International friendly against the touring New Zealand Schools’ side that are in the midst of their tour of Great Britain and Ireland.
New Zealand has already secured two scoreless draws with English regional outfits as they prepared for the Scottish schools match last week. Scotland were lucky to capture a 2-1 win, with New Zealand dominating much of the second half and hitting the woodwork on two separate occasions. Northern Ireland are also set to face the New Zealand lads ahead of the Republic’s fixture.
In the previous three meetings against the Kiwis, the Irish side have yet to taste defeat. In 2002, Ireland secured a 2-0 win in Dublin, while the other two fixtures provided pulsating ties with a scoreless draw in Ballybofey in 2004 and an entertaining 2-2 draw in Dublin last season.
Archbold is expecting a tough physical test as history dictates and it will be ideal preparation for the Shield campaign.
The Irish management are anxious to assess their options ahead of the English game and will rest a number of key players as they introduce some fresh talent into the team.
Billy Lane (Presentation College, Athenry), Chris Mac Bride (St Columbas College, Stranorlar), Shane McInerney (Athlone CC), Marwan Azimi (Pobalscoil Rosmini), Jack Tim Murphy (St. Peter’s College, Wexford) and Adam Hanlon (Arklow CC) all featured at the beginning of the season with a 3-1 win against Australia in late January. Azimi provided Ireland’s third goal in that game and he also came on as a substitute in the Republic’s defeat to Northern Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day. Club commitments had ruled him out against Wales and Scotland but he now makes a welcome return to the side.
Nathan Murphy (Colaiste Ris) and Daryl Horgan (St. Enda’s College, Galway) were late withdrawals for the Irish ahead of their Good Friday clash with Scotland. Club mates Adam Hanlon and Jack Tim Murphy were called in as adequate replacements. Their impressive performance against the Scots sees them win back their place on merit. Murphy was introduced for Brosnan at half time while Hanlon was introduced for Chambers. Both players were influential in the Irish win as they both demonstrated a great awareness on the ball. Murphy assisted in Skelly’s fourth goal of the game while Hanlon was causing all sorts of problems for the Scottish defence.
The panel selected are sure to entertain as they will relish the prospect of further selection for the final match of the Centenary Shield series.
Ireland will also be boosted by the fact that Tom O’Halloran, Robbie Benson, Daryl Horgan and Nathan Murphy are all in the fray for selection. These players will be looking on anxiously as they sit this game out, hoping they have proved themselves adequately in the other competitive ties.
The Irish were slow to register themselves as potential title holders with a nervy performance at home that saw them lose their opening match to their northern rivals but wins against Wales and Scotland have set the foundations for getter things. Archbold will want to maintain a match winning record and he’s also aware of the wider implications of a victory as it would instil great confidence in the team as they prepare to travel across the water in the coming weeks.
The Irish Manager insists, “We were in exactly the same situation last year with our final game against England being the crucial decider. We were confident heading into the game with home advantage but didn’t capitalise on some clear cut chances and ended up losing out on the title. We won’t be making that mistake again”.
Coach Hugh Colhoun will be keeping close observation on England’s next competitive fixture against Scotland on 23 April. Colhoun stated, “We will definitely take heart in our performances to date but we won’t lose sight of our objective. A must win away from home is very difficult but we are capable of producing a match winning performance. We will definitely have to concentrate on our own game but we will watch England’s clash against the Scots with some interest”.
The English Schoolboys U18 International squad are enjoying a successful tour of America as they prepare for their final string of Centenary fixtures.
The team triumphed in two matches played at St. Louis FC, Missouri earlier this week. In their first match they overcame Illinois State with a 3-0 win thanks to a brace from Luke Boyce and a strike from full back Thomas Boakye. Their second match was a similar story with the English boys playing some excellent football. This time, they beat Missouri State 2-0, courtesy of strikes from Kenny Reeves and Darren Regis. The next stop for the England team was Atlanta City where they were set to play Atlanta All Stars on Friday evening (9 April).
England has a fantastic record in the Centenary Shield and they will be hoping this tour will hold them in good stead to retain their title.
The Republic’s record in the Centenary Shield is equally impressive as they have captured the title on no less than four occasions. Ireland secured a three in-a-row in 2003, 2004 and 2005 while the last win was in 2008 when Ireland defeated England at the Stadium of Light to secure the spoils. Archbold will want nothing more than a win against the Kiwi’s as he sets his sights on the Centenary Shield.
The Republic of Ireland match against England will be televised live from Burton Albion on Sky Sports on Friday, 30 April (KO 7.40pm)
Republic of Ireland: Marty McGinty (Deele College), Brian Nolan (St Paul's CC), Jack Tim Murphy (St. Peter’s, Wexford), Barry O’Mahony (Summerhill College, Sligo), Billy Lane (Presentation College, Athenry), Chris Mac Bride (St Columbas College, Stranorlar), Jason Dwane (St. Peter's College), Tomas Boyle (Salesian College), Sean Skelly (St. Joseph's Fairview), Jake Carroll (Confey CC, Leixlip), Hugh Douglas (St. Brendan's College), Stephen Chambers (St. Fintan's), Sean Brosnan (St. Patrick's SS, Castleisland) Gary Shaw (Patrician SS), Adam Hanlon (Arklow CC), Niall Cooney (Templeogue College), Josh Byrne (De La Salle College, Waterford), Daragh Walshe (St. Kieran’s, Carlow), Marwan Azimi (Pobalscoil Rosmini), Robert Gaul (Colaiste Choilm, Swords), Shane McInerney (Athlone CC)
MANAGEMENT: Dave Archbold, Manager (Palmerstown Community School), Ollie Horgan, Assistant Manager (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), Hugh Colhoun, Coach (St. Laurence College, Loughlinstown), Ian Carry, GK Coach (FAI Schools Development Officer), Mickey McGlynn (Physiotherapist), Dr. Aidan Colmain (Doctor)