Republic of Ireland U/18 Schools 1-1 Scotland U/18 Schools
The Republic of Ireland Under/18 Schools' team were unable to build upon a first half lead against Scotland in their second game of the Centenary Schools Shield at the Waterford RSC on Friday night (March 30):
Still, the point ensures Ireland's title aspirations remain within their own hands:
The enforced absence from the 1/0 opening win over Northern Ireland a fortnight ago of defenders Eoin Hyland and Pearse Sweeney meant Ryan Matthews and Danny Morrissey were the two changes shown in the Irish line/up:
Eager to keep their winning run going, Ireland attacked from the off and midfielder Brian Lenihan was close to connecting with a cross in the second minute from Barry Sheedy:
Five minutes later, Sheedy flashed a volley on the turn over the bar:
Good combination work by CBS Kilkenny striker Seán Maguire and Cork City's Morrissey had the Scots on alert and two linked up on 39 minutes to fashion the best opening:
Maguire's turn of pace created the space to free Morrissey but Scottish goalkeeper Kieran Hughes advanced swiftly to deny the Corkman's effort with his legs:
The pair combined again in the final minute of the half for the opener: Morrissey's left/wing delivery found Maguire with his back to goal and he turned his marker before sending a rising shot inside Hughes' near post:
Scotland stunned the Irish a mere 80 seconds after the restart by drawing level: Slack marking enabled Lawrence Shankland to pop up unmarked and fire low from ten yards into the bottom corner of Evan Comerford's net:
Both sides conjured chances to nick full points in the last half hour: Substitute Jack Doherty cued up Timmy Molloy to volley yet the Galway winger couldn't keep his shot down:
At the other end, Steven Forbes was close to putting the visitors ahead when he unleashed a 30/yard shot which rebounded off the Irish crossbar:
Having completed their two games, Ireland are on their travels for the final two and must win both - against Wales (April 12) and England (April 26) – to be certain of reclaiming the shield:
REPUPLIC OF IRELAND: E: Comerford (CBS, Clonmel); C: Horgan (Colaiste Einde), R: Matthews (Clonkeen College, Blackrock), J: O'Brien (Yeat's College, Galway), A: O'Donnell (Carrigaline CS); D: Morrissey (Midleton CBS), P: Moffatt (Clonkeen, Blackrock), B: Lenihan (Presentation, Cork), Timmy Molloy (Colaiste Iognaid, Galway); B: Sheedy (Colaiste Iosaef, Kilmallock), S: Magure (CBS Kilkenny):
Subs: J: Doherty (Comeragh College) for Sheedy (h/t), J: Kavanagh (Glanmire CS) for Moffatt (67 mins), R: Lehane (Douglas CS) for Molloy (80):
SCOTLAND: K: Hughes; R: McGeachie, M: Craig, R: McGeever, A: Lawson; C: McVey, M: Cooper, S, Ferries: S: Forbes; K: Anderson/Ballantyne, L: Shankland:
Sub: S: Close for McGeachie (72 mins)
REFEREE: Noel Purcell (Waterford):