Pictured is Val Feeney (Coláiste Phobal, Roscrea)
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS Manager Ollie Horgan (St: Eunan’s College) has named his squad for next week's Centenary Shield showdown away to Wales.
The Shield campaign kicks off with a double header as Wales play host to the Republic of Ireland at the Rock Cefn Druids FC on Thursday, March 6, 2014. The Scots will entertain Northern Ireland at the same time in East Fife FC (7:00pm) in what should prove to be two very competitive fixtures
A solidarity goal courtesy of a wonderful set piece from Carrick on Suir man Jack Doherty was the difference between the two sides twelve months previous so it should make for an interesting contest this time around:
Ireland came very close to victory last year and had to settle for joint second spot with England as Northern Ireland snatched the podium finish: It’s all to play for this season as a rule change introduced by the International body SAFIB means the players are a year younger this season:
Coláiste Phobal pupil Val Feeney is the only player to make a return to the international scene following his involvement with the panel in 2013: The Roscrea native impressed last season and will be a vital component for Horgan this year:
The Schools side may have to do without the services of Salesian College student Dylan Kavanagh and Seán Heaney of Ard Scoil Rís following their late call up to Paul Doolin’s U19s outfit as they face Romania for two friendly fixtures in Cork
However, Horgan is confident of the three points away from home following a good training regime with the lads over the last few months: The team recently enjoyed a 2/1 win over Shelbourne’s U18 side in Dublin as Jamie McGrath (Athboy Community School) and Darragh Black (Loreto CS, Milford) were on target:
Ireland’s hopefuls played Harps’ senior team last week which proved a great learning curve for the St: Eunan’s man before meeting their U19 side twenty four hours later: The two day training camp gave Horgan time to mull over his final selection which sees some strength and depth in the squad:
Yeats College man Ryan Manning is a welcome addition to the panel alongside Patrician College star Cian Kavanagh and Cork’s Craig Donnellan:
Goalkeeping Coach Richard Fitzgibbon will have a difficult task in team selection this season for the opening game: St: Anne’s student Jack Brady and Killina’s Patrick Dunican have enjoyed a good contest between the posts in recent months and it should prove interesting to see who starts against Wales as the competition heats up:
There is a quick turnaround as the Republic of Ireland will host Northern Ireland in the second game of their Shield campaign on St: Patrick’s Day in Sligo: This will be followed by a trip to Ashton Gate, Bristol as England play host on March 28: Horgan will have time to contemplate his performance as the Republic will take on Scotland in Tallaght on April 24 for the concluding fixture in the Shield
2014 Republic of Ireland Schools Squad:
Patrick Dunican (Killina Presentation School)
Christopher Flanagan (St: Eunan’s College, Letterkenny)
Dylan Kavanagh (Salesian College, Celbridge)
Maxime Louogum (Coláiste Chairain, Leixlip)
Seán Heaney (Ard Scoil Rís, Griffith Avenue)
Craig Donnellan (Coláiste Chríost Rí)
Val Feeney (Coláiste Phobal, Roscrea)
Cian Kavanagh (Patrician College, Finglas)
Jamie McGrath (Athboy Community School)
Jack Bayly (Salesian College, Celbridge)
Michael Browne (Maynooth Post Primary School)
Aidan McCauley (Moville Community College)
George Kelly (Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana)
Darragh Black (Loreto Community School, Milford)
Ryan Manning (Yeat’s College, Galway)
Jack Brady (St: Anne’s Community College, Killaloe)
AntaineÓ Laoí (Coláiste Cholmcille, Galway)
Darragh Gannon (Lucan Community School)
CENTENARY SHIELD FIXTURES
Wales Schools v Republic of Ireland Schools
Thursday, March 6, 2014
The Rock Cefn Druids FC, Wales (7:00pm)
Republic of Ireland Schools v Northern Ireland Schools
Monday, March 17, 2014
The Showgrounds, Sligo Rovers FC (3:00pm)
England Schools v Republic of Ireland Schools
Friday, March 28, 2014
Ashton Gate, Bristol City FC (7:00pm)
Republic of Ireland Schools v Scotland Schools
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Tallaght Stadium, Dublin (7:00pm)