Press Release: Saturday, March 5, 2016
Northern Ireland 1-2 England
Nathaniel Ferris (77) Jos Thomas (70), Zak Lilley (Pen 82)
The second of theINSPIRESPORT CENTENARY SHIELD fixtures took place yesterday evening (Friday) in Comber FC with the English snatching a late winner from the penalty spot as Northern Ireland suffered their first defeat of the campaign.
Conor Marlin & Frank Wilson’s side enjoyed a point apiece last week in Glasgow in the opening game of the 2016 series. Substitute Matthew Shelvin (Ballymena Academy) opened the scoring for the visitors on the hour mark but this was cancelled out five minutes later with a delightful header from Hamilton Grammar student John Cunningham. Shelvin thought he bagged the match winner in the dying minutes of the game but his goal was ruled off side.
Shelvin was absent from the England encounter yesterday which meant a late call up for Timmy Browne (Regent House).
Andy Blight’s side took the lead courtesy of a well-placed header from Jos Thomas 25 minutes into the second period.
Northern Ireland made a few tactically changes once they conceded which saw the introduction of Nathaniel Ferris. The young Portadown College student had an immediate impact on proceedings as he found the equaliser on 77 minutes.
Both sides craved out some real chances but goalkeepers Ferguson and Wycherley were razor sharp between the posts.
The winner came 8 minutes from time as England’s Zak Liffey converted from the spot to ensure a full three points for Blights men in their opening game away from home. England face another away fixture to Wales on March 18. This will be followed up with a home game to Scotland on April Fools’ Day and a week later they welcome the Republic of Ireland on April 8 for their final game of the season.
Northern Ireland need to pick themselves up from their recent disappointment as they meet the Republic of Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day in Arklow Town FC for their penultimate game in the crusade. The North will finish their Shield outing with a home game against the Welsh on April 15.
Paddy O’Reilly’s side will need to be focused on their opening day as the North will be coming into this encounter at game three out of four while the Republic of Ireland will be starting afresh. The second game for the Republic will see them travel to Celtic Park, Killarney as they play host to Scotland on April 14. O’Reilly’s squad will finish their campaign away to Wales on April 28. The Republic of Ireland will be hoping to retain their title that night so it’s all to play for in the coming weeks.
NORTHERN IRELAND: Ferguson, Kerr, Wilson (C), McCracken, Marron, Nimick, Young, Anderson, McCaw, Henry, Jallow,
UBS: Kane,Toland, Neale, Cafolla, Connery, Ferris, Browne
MANAGEMENT: Conor Marlin, Frank Wilson (Joint Managers), Brian Donaghey (GK Coach)
ENGLAND: Wycherley, O’Malley, Orisatoki, Cook, Wisson, Mouanda (C), Shonibare, Breen, Smith, Bradshaw, Lilly
SUBS: Thomas, O’Halloran, Lawrence, Lamb, Hartshorne, Woodward, Grange
MANAGEMENT: Andy Blight (Manager), Ben Lavelle (Assistant Manager)
REFEREE: Shane Andrews
InspiresportCentenary Shield Table
|
Teams |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
PTS |
|
England |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
Northern Ireland |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
|
Scotland |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Republic of Ireland |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wales |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
March 4, 2016: Placing's are calculated on points only.
Inspiresport Centenary Shield RESULTS
Friday, February 26 Scotland 1-1 Northern Ireland in Lesser Hampden, Glasgow, KO 7pm
Friday, March 4 Northern Ireland 1-2 England in Comber, KO 4pm
Inspiresport Centenary Shield FIXTURES
Thursday, March 17 Republic of Ireland vs Northern Ireland in Arklow Town FC, KO 1pm
Friday, March 18 Wales vs England in The Book People Stadium, Bangor City FC, KO 7pm
Thursday, March 24, Scotland vs Wales in Harlow Park, Inverurie Local Works FC, KO 7.30pm
Friday, April 1 England vs Scotland in Highbury Stadium, Fleetwood Town FC, KO 7pm
Friday, April 8 England vs Republic of Ireland in Park Hall Stadium, The New Saints FC, Oswestry, KO 7.30pm
Thursday, April 14 Republic of Ireland vs Scotland in Killarney Celtic FC, KO 7pm
Friday, April 15 Northern Ireland vs Wales in Comber FC, KO 4.30pm
Thursday, April 28 Wales vs Republic of Ireland in Llandudno, KO 7pm
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: David COFFEY (Coláiste Muire, Cobh),Corey CHAMBERS (Gorey Community School, Wexford), Shane HANNEY (Clonkeen College), Ryan O’DONOGHUE (Our Lady’s SS, Belmullet), Darragh GIBBONS (St. Colmcille’s CS), Conor McCARTHY (Scoil Mhuire gan Smál, Blarney), Liam SCALES (Gaelcholáiste na Mara, Arklow), Killian BROUDER (Desmond College, Newcastle West), Conor KANE (Coláiste Phádraig, Lucan CBS), Gareth DOHERTY (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar), Eoghan MORGAN (Mount Temple Comprehensive School), Jessie STAFFORD LACEY (Mercy SS, Mounthawk, Tralee), Dylan GRIMES (Marino College), Adrian DELAP (Loreto CS, Milford), Kyle DOHERTY (Comeragh College, Carrick on Suir), Aaron DRINAN (Carrigaline CS), Jamie AHERNE (Confey College), BJ BANDA (Royal & Prior Comprehensive School, Raphoe)
MANAGEMENT: Paddy O’REILLY, Manager (Trinity Comprehensive School, Ballymun), Ollie HORGAN, Assistant Manager (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), William O’Connor, Coach (Scoil Mhuire SS, Buncrana), Conor FOLEY, GK Coach (Athlone Community College), Paul MASTERSON (Equipment Manager), John McSHANE, Coach/Video Analyst (Dublin Oak Academy, Bray), Mickey McGLYNN (Physiotherapist), Dr. Aidan O’COLMAIN (Team Doctor)
