Wales 1 - 2 Republic of Ireland
The squad had travelled to Swansea without their Captain Robbie Creevey, who had to withdraw from the squad due to club commitments and the injured Gary Murphy:
Wales scored the opening goal of the game when Mark Evans punished some slack defending at the edge of the Irish box, he powered a low shot under the arms of diving Collopy in the Irish goal with 9 minutes played:
Following the Welsh lead, Sean Carr’s team pushed forward and enjoyed a period of sustained pressure in the Welsh half: This period saw Ireland denied a clear penalty opportunity when Clarke was taken down inside the box:
Wales broke on the counter attacked on several occasions but the Irish defence and keeper Collopy were in fine form to deny the Welsh side: Marcus Griffiths should have scored a second when put through late in the first half but the power driver hit the wood work: Luck of the Irish was certainly on their side:
The Republic of Ireland started the second half with much more intensity and determination: It took them 65 minutes to score the equaliser courtesy of some good support play from Clarke and Hand and a fine finish by John Mulroy:
Kevin Barry was introduced after 80 minutes and his impact on the game was instant as he scored the winner with 86 minutes on the clock:
The Republic of Ireland will have home advantage when they take on Northern Ireland at Milebush, Castlebar on Monday, 17 March (St: Patrick’s Day) at 2pm:
FAI Schools Team:
Brian Collopy – CSB Sexton Street, Limerick
Mark O’Reilly – Chanel College, Dublin
Sean Houston – St: Eunan’s College, Letterkenny
Philip Knight – Clonkeen College, Blackrock
David Webster – Templeogue College, Dublin
Declan Edwards – Blackrock College, Dublin
Jake Kelly – St: Laurance College, Loughlinstown
Philip Hand – Chanel College, Dublin
Jason Hughes – CBS Sexton Street, Limerick
John Mulroy – Moyle Park College, Clondalkin
Shane Clarke – CBS Sexton Street, Limerick
Substitutes:
Oisin McMenamin – St: Eunan’s College, Letterkenny
Mark Mc Ginley – PCC Falcarragh, Letterkenny
Gerard Cheevers – St: Mary’s College, Galway
Patrick Madden – Chanel College, Dublin for Clarke
Peter Acheson – Rockwell College, Cashel for O’Reilly
Kevin Barry – CBS Sexton Street, Limerick for Kelly
Jack Flynn – Belverdere College, Dublin for Hughes