Strong Donegal influence in Schools setup

2009

Strong Donegal influence in Schools setup As the U18 FAI Schools (Boys) face their counterparts Northern Ireland in their penultimate match of the Carnegie Centenary Shield on Friday, 20 March in Riada Stadium, Ballymoney (KO 7pm) Manager, Hugh Colhoun reflects on the strong Donegal influence in the Schools setup. Colhoun is a native of Donegal town having previously managed the team in 2004 to Centenary success and he is hoping to claim his second title as Manager having previously captured the title with Sean Carr, St Eunan’s College, Letterkenny who was manager last year. Other successful Donegal managers include James Rodgers (Arranmore), who reached winning ways in 2003, John Michael Porter (Raphoe), were Ireland were joint winners in 2005.

 

That’s a total of four titles for Donegal managers at the helm (2003, 2004, 2005 and 2008).

 

Previous to that Alex Harkin, Ballybofey managed the side in the early 80’s. Ollie Horgan, St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny has been appointed National Coach this year.

 

Horgan has a wealth of experience having come assisted Fanad United to recent success.

 

Donegal native, Mickey McGlynn in part of the backroom staff, acting as charter physio for the boys International team for a number of years. Manager, Hugh Colhoun has been forced to make a number of changes to his original squad which saw them draw 1-1 away to Scotland last Friday and win 3-1 against Wales in late February. Meath’s Jason Dwane will miss this crunch game as he travels to Portsmouth for trials.

 

Andrew Boyle has club commitments with UCD in Division One of the League of Ireland as they take on Monaghan United at home on Friday evening. Danny Fallon, Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh and Cillian Morrison of St Eunan’s College, Letterkenny have been recalled as suitable replacements and both players will relish the opportunity to be part of this team as they go in search of a valuable three points.

 

Morrison is the sole Donegal representative on the panel with Ulster team mate Aaron McCarey of Monaghan. Morrison plays his club football with Derry City and will be hoping to feature in this crunch encounter for Colhoun’s charges. Colhoun is also without the experienced Gerard Hanley as he has club commitments with Galway United, who travel to Bray on Friday evening in the Premier Division clash. Brian Gaffney, St. Joseph’s College, Galway withdrew due to injury. He will be replaced by Brian Nolan of St. Paul’s Community College in Waterford.

 

Brian is no stranger to International football having been previously capped with Ireland as they claimed victory over the Welsh. Northern Ireland have only played one competitive fixture in the Carnegie Centenary Shield which saw them come from a goal behind to secure an impressive 2-1 victory over the Scots and more importantly a precious three points in the competition. Northern Ireland have a number of influential players in their side namely, Liam Boyce who scored the opening goal against Scotland and was named Man of the Match in that game, the second goal scorer was Conor Deane, an impressive footballer who will put the Irish defence to the test. The other Northern stars include Ryan Burns, Stephen Dooley, James Peden and Jimmy Callacher.

 

The Republic of Ireland are well aware of the strength their counterparts pose. The Republic travelled to Jersey in early February for an invitational friendly which saw them loss to Northern Ireland 2-1.

 

Colhoun put out a very experimental team that day and will be more tactical with his approach on Friday. This is a must win game for Colhoun. He will be apprehensive heading into this penultimate game as both Northern Ireland and England are well positioned with three points each and a game in hand. England had a great 3-0 win to Wales and will be hoping to maintain their winning ways. Northern Ireland’s next outings are away to England on 27 March and away to Wales on 20 April. The final game of the series for Ireland will see them host England at the RSC, Waterford on 24 April which will be live on Sky Sports, KO 7.35pm.

 

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND PANEL 

1 Aaron MCCAREY St. Macartan’s College Monaghan United

No. 2 Neil HARNEY St. Aloysius College Belvedere

No. 3 Ian STORAN Crescent College Comprehensive Limerick FC

No. 4 Garvan BROUGHALL Athlone Community College Belvedere

No. 5 Tomas BOYLE Salesian College Leixlip United

No. 6 Jason HUGHES CBS Sexton Street, Limerick Limerick FC

No. 7 Gary BURKE Larkin Community College Belvedere

No. 8 Paul CORRY Belvedere College Belvedere

No. 9 Carl FORSYTH Cabinteely Community School Cherry Orchard

No. 10 Shane HOWARD Colaiste Eoin, Hacketstown, Carlow Belvedere

No. 11 Brian NOLAN St. Paul’s Community College Waterford Bohs

No. 12 Eoin HANRAHAN CBS Sexton Street, Limerick Pike Rovers

No. 13 James KEOHANE CBS Kilkenny Wexford Youths

No. 14 Eoghan OSBORNE Colaiste Ris, Dundalk Drogheda United

No. 15 Robert BENSON Marist College, Athlone Athlone Town

No. 16 David QUIRKE St. Patrick’s College, Navan Belvedere

No. 17 Danny FALLON Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh Sligo Rovers

No. 18 CILLIAN MORRISON St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny Derry City

 

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

 

 

CARNEGIE CENTENARY SHIELD TABLE 2008/09

P W D L F A GD PTS

Republic of Ireland 2 1 1 0 4 2 2 4

England 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 3

Northern Ireland 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 3

Scotland 2 0 1 1 2 3 -1 1

Wales 2 0 0 2 1 6 -5 0

 

 

END