Preview | Ireland vs England

SAFIB Centenary Shield | Under 18 Boys’ International

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Ireland take on England in Athlone

THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS will conclude their SAFIB Centenary Shield campaign when England travel to Athlone Town AFC for the final series of games this Thursday evening, April 24 (7.0).

Derek O’Brien’s side have had a frustrating season with 1-0 defeats at home to Wales and away to Scotland despite their creativity upfront, they just couldn’t convert their chances. However their fortunes were reversed when they took on Northern Ireland in Belfast a fortnight ago. Goals from Adam BRENNAN (Hartstown Community School), Rhys KNIGHT (Clonkeen College, Blackrock), Sam NEVILLE (Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge) and a hat-trick from Jack SWEENEY (Merlin College, Galway) made them convincing 2-6 winners on the night.

Head Coach Derek O’Brien will see goalkeeper Kyle GABBIDON (Coola Post Primary School, Sligo) return from injury. That’s the only change to the squad that were so successful against holders Northern Ireland the last time out.

Scotland are top of the leader board on 8 points and it’s a waiting game for them as Wales take on Northern Ireland in Briton Ferry on Thursday night too. If Wales were to win, they share the Shield with Scotland so it will be interesting viewing from their perspective.

England will be disappointed with their season as they only generated a point thus far. They’ll be looking to end their campaign on a positive note. The English side were rocked by Scotland losing out 6-2 on the opening day. This was followed up a fortnight later by another defeat, this time a 2-0 loss at home to Northern Ireland. While they gained a valuable point in their 2-2 draw against Wales in Macclesfield on April 11.

England Head Coach Richard Alderson will be without Harvey SOLLEY for this contest as he picked up an injury during the week, so they’ll travel with just 17 players.

While there is no silverware in the mix for the Ireland clash, O’Brien will look to improve on the Irish record which saw them experience a 4-0 defeat to England last year in Walsall FC. Before that, when England last played in Athlone in 2023, England came out 1-3 winners on the night.

It’s O’Brien’s final game in charge of the International team following his seven year involvement with the set-up. It would be great if the team could finish off in style with another victory following some excellent performances and do justice to their sterling campaign this season.   

A live stream will be available of the game at: https://www.youtube.com/live/9vwsy1URdg4

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS | Kyle GABBIDON (Coola Post Primary School, Sligo), Alain KIZENGA (St. Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue), MacDaragh SCANLON, Jacob CARROLL, James MORAHAN, Billy REGAN (all St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway), Luke DOOLAN (St. Brendan’s College, Killarney), Adam NOLAN (Maynooth Community College), Rhys KNIGHT (Clonkeen College, Blackrock), Callum LYNCH (Summerhill College, Sligo), Matt JONES (St. Flannan’s College, Ennis), Oisín KELLY (Ballyhaunis Community School), Adam BRENNAN (Hartstown Community School), Sam NEVILLE (Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge) Jack SWEENEY (Merlin College, Galway), Daniel CUNNINGHAM (Coláiste na Carraige, Carrick, Donegal), Aaron CASS (Abbey Community College, Ferrybank), Fionn McNAMARA (St. Patrick’s College, Cavan)

MANAGEMENT | Derek O’BRIEN, Head Coach (Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore), Alan MURPHY, Coach (St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway) Ollie HORGAN, Coach (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), John POWER, GK Coach, Martin CAVANAGH Equipment Manager (Carndonagh Community School), Michael McGLYNN (Physio), Dr. Aidan O’COLMAIN (Team Doctor)

ENGLAND  | Joel Neale, Charlie Mathews, Theo Ezea, Roman Chapps, Patrick McGowran, Joseph Kennedy, Aston Houlahan, George Lycett, Liam Higgins, Mal Bowyer, Jack Wallace, Ryan Johnson, Luke Jones, Luca Taylor, Luke Parker, Alex Vick, Gildo DaSilva

MANAGEMENT | Richard Alderson, Matt Atherton, Matt George, Dave Burns

2025 SAFIB Centenary Shield

RESULTS

February 28        Scotland 6-2 England Greenock Morton (1.0)

March 14              Wales 1-1 Scotland, Airbus FC (1.0)

March 14              England 0-2 Northern Ireland, Truro (7.3)

March 20             Republic of Ireland 0-1 Wales, Graun Park, Tramore (1.0)

March 27             Scotland 1-0 Republic of Ireland, Stenhousemuir (1.0)

April 4                  Northern Ireland 3-3 Scotland, Blanchflower Stadium (7.0)

April 11                  England 2-2 Wales, Macclesfield (7.0)

April 11                  Northern Ireland 2-6 Republic of Ireland, Blanchflower Stadium (7.0)

FIXTURES

April 24                Republic of Ireland vs England, Athlone Town AFC (7.0)

April 24                Wales vs Northern Ireland, Briton Ferry FC (7.0)

PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS

Head to Head Republic of Ireland vs England | 20  encounters | Ireland 6 wins, 7 draws,  7  defeats