Irish boys close to historic victory
The Football Association of Irish Schools are just 90 minutes away from creating history by landing their first ever Centenary Shield.
The Irish were invited into the competition for the first time this season following their accession to full membership of the Schools Association Football International Board (SAFIB) last year and they have certainly proved that they are well capable of competing at this level.
Standing in their way is Scotland, who lost their opening two games but got things going in their last game against England and registered their first win of the competition.
An opening 3-0 win over Wales in Waterford was followed by a comprehensive victory over Malta in a friendly before England visited Flancare Park.
There, a dominant Irish side outplayed the English and the 2-1 win was more than deserved.
In a six-goal thriller in Dungannon a fortnight ago, the Republic overcame Northern Ireland by 4-2 to put them in the position of needing just a point to claim the trophy.
“We are very pleased with our performance in the competition this season,” explained team manager James Rodgers. “Right from the start of the selection process the boys have worked hard and that effort has been rewarded on the field.
"We need to focus on one last game now. The finishing post is in sight but there is much to be done. The Scots have improved in every game and their win over England proves that they will be no pushover on Friday."
Once again, there are a few injury worries for the Irish manager. Willie Doyle of Gorey is a notable absentee with a recurrence of the ankle injury that kept him out of the Malta game and forced him out of the English game in the first half.
“A few players are carrying knocks but the loss of Willie is a big one. He was superb in the games against England and Northern Ireland but he has been carrying the injury all season and it has finally caught up with him,” said Rodgers.
Coming back into the squad in his place is Brian Warren of Moyle Park College who played in the game against Wales so he is no stranger to the squad.
The squad is:
Brendan Clarke (Palmerstown Community College), Sean Purcell (Abbey Community College, Boyle), William Tyrrell (St Kevin’s CBS, Arklow), Liam Tiernan, (Patrician College, Finglas, Dublin), Paul Ferry (Rosses Community College, Co Donegal), James Cummins (Nagle Community College, Cork) Kenny McKenna (Ardee Community College), John Russell (St Joseph’s College, Galway), Stephen Ward (Portmarnock Community School), Ian Barnes (CBS High School, Clonmel), Chris Breen (St Columba’s College, Stranorlar), David Jenkins, (Ballymun Comprehensive), Darren Swaine (Nagle Community College), Damien Kelly (St Kieran’s College, Kilkenny), Brian Warren (Moyle Park College), Darren Quigley (St Laurence’s College, Loughlinstown).
