Irish schoolboys must beat England to retain Carnegie Shield

FOLLOWING last night’s result, when Northern Ireland beat Wales three-nil, the Republic of Ireland under-18 schoolboys must beat England next Friday night to retain the Carnegie Centenary Shield.
Northern Ireland, although they have already lost two-nil against the Republic, lead the group on nine points with their neighbours, who are captained by Limerick CBS’ Jason Hughes and also feature Crescent Comprehensive’s Ian Storan, trailing by two points.
The Republic of Ireland won the Carnegie Shield last season and will be favourites to beat England on Friday night.
The game, which will be televised live on Sky Sports, will be played at Waterford’s RSC stadium (kick-off 7.35pm).
England, on six points, also enjoy on outside chance of wrestling the prestigious title away from the Irish schoolboys - England lost one-nil to Northern Ireland, but have beaten Wales and Scotland.
The Republic of Ireland will face Friday night’s game in confidence having beaten Wales (3-1) and Northern Ireland (2-0) and drawing one-all with Scotland.
The Republic, under the leadership of manager Hugh Colhoun have enjoyed huge success in this competition - the Republic also beat England last season at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light to win the 2008 tournament.
In the last ten meetings between the two sides Ireland have enjoyed the upper hand only losing once to their english counterparts since 1995.
In the intervening period Ireland beat England six times while drawing three times.
The under-18 schoolboys team received a huge boost when seven members of the side, namely James Keohane, Paul Corry, Shane Howard, Andrew Boyle, Jason Dwane, Jason Hughes and Ian Storan were selected on the Republic of Ireland under-18 squad who travelled to Larnaca to play Cyprus in two friendly matches recently. This experience at international level should give the boys the edge they need to overcome the English side.
England last captured the Centenary Shield in 2002 and are eager to avenge their defeat of last season.
Tickets for the Republic of Ireland versus England game at the RSC in Waterford cost €5 for adults, €2 for students.
Tickets are available from Mairead Collins, FAI Schools International Secretary, by calling 087 954 8661 or e-mail: secfais@oceanfree.net

Squad: Aaron McCarey (St. Macartan’s College), Neil Harney (St. Aloysius College), Ian Storan (Crescent College Comprehensive), Garvan Broughall (Athlone Community College), Tomas Boyle (Salesian College), Jason Hughes (CBS Sexton Street, Limerick), Gary Burke (Larkin Community College), Paul Corry (Belvedere College), Carl Forsyth (Cabinteely Community School), Shane Howard (Colaiste Eoin, Hacketstown, Carlow), Brian Gaffney (St. Joseph’s College, Galway), Andrew Boyle (Colaiste Phadraig CBS, Lucan), James Keohane (CBS Kilkenny), Jason Dwane (St. Peter’s College, Dunboyne), Robert Benson (Marist College, Athlone), Gerard Hanley (St. Joseph’s College, Galway), Danny Fallon (Sancta Maria College), Cillian Morrison (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny).

Brian McDonnell