FAI Schools team to face Australia

January 2010

The FAI Schools Under 18 team will host Australia in an International Friendly on Thursday, 28 January at the Oscar Traynor Complex, kick off 1pm.

The last time these two teams met was during 2007/08 season. That day they drew 1-1 in a highly competitive encounter in Dublin.

Manager Dave Archbold, is looking forward to the challenge stating that “this game will prove to be highly competitive and a valuable exercise for the team’s preparation in the Centenary Shield”.

The Republic of Ireland has a wealth of experience with Tomas Boyle (Salesian College, Celbridge), Brian Nolan (St. Paul’s Community College, Waterford) and Jason Dwane (St Peter’s College, Dunboyne) who were all capped for FAI Schools last season making a return.

Leinster dominates proceedings with twelve players selected from throughout the Province. This is not surprising as Leinster captured the Interprovincial title last October.

Connacht will be represented by Barry O’Mahony (Summerhill College, Sligo), Daryl Horgan (St. Enda’s College, Galway), Tom O’Halloran (Athlone CC), Billy Lane (Presentation College, Athenry).

Munster has two representatives in Brian Nolan (St. Paul’s CC) and the experienced goalkeeper Josh Byrne (De La Salle).

The only Ulster man to feature is goalkeeper Marty McGinty of Deele College, Raphoe.

The Australian Schools’ team embark on their European tour with a comprehensive list of fixtures to fulfil. The team have already played Wales (22 January), while they have forthcoming fixtures against Northern Ireland (27 January), Republic of Ireland (28 January), England (31 January) and Scotland (1 February) as well as numerous club games.

The Irish management have yet to finalise the panel of 18 to represent the Republic in the Centenary Shield series and will be using this friendly as part of the selection process.

The Republic of Ireland will commence their International campaign against Northern Ireland on Wednesday 17 March (St. Patrick’s Day) in Athlone (7pm KO).

Republic of Ireland U18 Schools: Marty McGinty (Deele College), Brian Nolan (St Paul’s CC), Nathan Murphy (Colaiste Ris), Jason Dwane (St. Peter’s College), Tomas Boyle (Salesian College), Barry O’Mahony (Summerhill College), Darly Horgan (St. Enda’s College, Galway), Sean Skelly (St. Joseph’s Fairview), Marwan Azimi (Pobalscoil Rosmini), Daragh Walshe (St. Kieran’s College), Tom O’Halloran (Athlone CC), Niall Cooney (Templeogue College), Jack Tim Murphy (St Peter’s College, Wexford), Adam Hanlon (Arklow CC), Stephen Chambers (St. Fintan’s), Josh Byrne (De La Salle), Jake Carroll (Confey CC, Leixlip), Shane McInerney (Athlone CC), Gary Shaw (Patrician SS), Billy Lane (Presentation College, Athenry).

Management: Dave Archbold Palmerstown School (Manager), Ollie Horgan St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny (Assistant Manager), Hugh Colhoun, St. Laurence College, Loughlinstown (Coach), Ian Carry, FAI Schools Development Officer (GK Coach), Mickey McGlynn (Physio), Aidan O’Colmain (Doctor).

BOYS’ INTERNATIONAL FIXTURES:

17 March Carnegie Centenary Shield Republic of Ireland v Northern Ireland
25 March Carnegie Centenary Shield Wales v Republic of Ireland
2 April Carnegie Centenary Shield Republic of Ireland v Scotland
12 April Friendly Republic of Ireland v New Zealand
30 April Carnegie Centenary Shield England v Republic of Ireland

END