Republic of Ireland draw derby opener

                                                           INSPIRESPORT CENTENARY SHIELD

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Republic of Ireland Schools 0-0 Northern Ireland Schools

The Republic of Ireland had to settle for a point after their opening fixture in defence of the Inspiresport Centenary Shield against Northern Ireland finished in a scoreless draw at Arklow Town FC this afternoon (March 17).

The Northern side are already well into their campaign and picked up a 1-1 draw in Scotland before falling to a late goal in their 2-1 home defeat by England at Comber.

A fairly even game that saw both fully committed sides produce several passages of good football with the home side probably shading it slightly on the limited chances that were created. 

Carrigaline CS scholar Aaron Drinan had an early opportunity to open the scoring for the Republic when he was put in by left back Liam Scales (Gaelcholáiste na Mara) but the North’s ‘keeper Jack Ferguson deflected the effort with his legs.

Drinan then set up a great chance for the busy Dylan Grimes (Marino College) with a well placed cross from the left and it needed a saving block from defender Caolan Marron to keep Grimes effort out.

While later Drinan had his low drive pushed away for a corner by another fine save from Ferguson.

The half ended with the best chance falling to the visitors when Patrick Cafolla (Our Lady & St. Patrick’s Knock) failed to beat goalkeeper Corey Chambers (Gorey CS) from close in after Reece Neale’s high ball dropped invitingly for him into the home area.

Chambers was in action again early in the second half to deny Cafolla with a top class save as Northern Ireland began to get on top.

A Ryan Nimick run took him into the home area and after his shot was blocked Chambers had to be at his best to keep out the rebound effort from Timmy Browne (Regent House Grammar).

However the home side helped by some solid defending from local lad Liam Scales, Killian Brouder and Darragh Gibbons managed to cut out any further threats.

Although the Republic did have a lucky escape with ten minutes remaining when Chambers had to race off his line to cut out a dangerous pass from Lloyd Anderson and conceded a free for handball at the edge of the box 

The home ‘keeper received just a yellow card from referee Gavin Colfer much to the displeasure of the North’s management team and was quickly back in his goal to turn away Neale’s resulting free kick.

Scales might have grabbed a late winner for the Republic but his firm header from a Grimes corner was scrambled away by a grateful Northern Ireland defence.

Next up for Paddy O’Reilly’s squad is a trip to Park Hall Stadium, The New Saints FC, Oswestry for another highly competitive fixture with England on Friday, April 8 (7.30pm).

O’Reilly will be hoping that Conor Kane (Coláiste Phádraig, Lucan CBS) will be ok to re-join the team following a concussion he sustained last week. Fintan Borotto (Davitt College) was a late call up for the Northern Ireland game but unfortunately didn’t feature this afternoon in a very competitive outing for both sides. 

The duo of Wilson and Marlin will now play Wales in the final game of their Centenary Shield series at Comber FC on Friday, April 15. They will be hoping to finish with a full three points as their title ambitions are still up in the mix.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Corey Chambers, Shane Hanney, Conor McCarthy (Captain), Killian Brouder, Liam Scales; Jesse Stafford Lacey, Adrian Delap, Eoghan Morgan, Dylan Grimes, Jamie Aherne, Aaron Drinan.

SUBS: Ryan O’Donoghue (for Morgan 26 mins), BJ Banda (for Lacey 56 mins), Kyle Doherty (for Delap 65 mins), Gareth Doherty (for Grimes 83 mins), David Coffey, Darragh Gibbons, Fintan Borotto. 

NORTHERN IRELAND: Jack Ferguson; Ronan Wilson (Captain), Karl Hamill, Caolan Marron, Reece Neale; Ronan Young, Jonathan McCaw, Ryan Nimick, Lloyd Anderson, Patrick Cafolla, Salou Jallow. 

SUBS: Timmy Browne (for Cafolla h/t), Adam McCracken (for McCaw 60 mins), Matthew Henry (for Young 60 mins), Nathaniel Ferris (for Wilson 73 mins), Reece Kane, Josh Connery, Michael Kerr.

REFEREE: Gavin Colfer (Wicklow)

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: David COFFEY (Coláiste Muire, Cobh),Corey CHAMBERS (Gorey Community School, Wexford), Shane HANNEY (Clonkeen College, Blackrock), Ryan O’DONOGHUE (Our Lady’s Secondary School, Belmullet), Darragh GIBBONS (St. Colmcille’s Community School, Knocklyon), Conor McCARTHY (Scoil Mhuire gan Smál, Blarney), Liam SCALES (Gaelcholáiste na Mara, Arklow), Killian BROUDER (Desmond College, Newcastle West), Fintan BOROTTO (Davitt College, Castlebar), Gareth DOHERTY (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar), Eoghan MORGAN (Mount Temple Comprehensive School, Clontarf), Jesse STAFFORD LACEY (Mercy SS, Mounthawk, Tralee), Dylan GRIMES (Marino College, Fairview), Adrian DELAP (Loreto Community School, Milford), Kyle DOHERTY (Comeragh College, Carrick on Suir), Aaron DRINAN (Carrigaline Community School), Jamie AHERNE (Confey College, Leixlip), Billy BANDA (Royal & Prior Comprehensive School, Raphoe)

MANAGEMENT: Paddy O’REILLY, Manager (Trinity Comprehensive School, Ballymun), William O’Connor, Assistant Manager (Scoil Mhuire Secondary School, Buncrana), Ollie HORGAN, Coach (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), Conor FOLEY, GK Coach (Athlone Community College), John McSHANE, Coach/Video Analyst (Dublin Oak Academy, Bray), Paul MASTERSON (Equipment Manager),  Mickey McGLYNN & Ferdia McKEOWN (Physiotherapists), Dr. Aodan O’COLMAIN (Team Doctor) 

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

Thursday, March 17   Republic of Ireland 0-0 Northern Ireland in Arklow Town FC, KO 1pm  

Inspiresport Centenary Shield FIXTURES 

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 Celtic Park, Killarney Celtic FC, KO 7pm

Friday, April 15            Northern Ireland vs Wales, Comber FC, KO 4.30pm

Thursday, April 28      Wales vs Republic of Ireland in Llandudno, KO 7pm

InspiresportCentenary Shield Table  

 ^{March 17, 2016: Placing's are calculated on points only.}

CENTENARY SHIELD ROLL OF HONOUR

ENDS