The Republic of Ireland Schools' Repesentative team at U18 level compete annually for the Carnegie Centenary Shield trophy. The representative teams of Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England compete with Ireland in a one-leg round robin tournament for the trophy.
Under-18 Centenary Shield
England 0-1 Republic of Ireland
Robbie Benson 78 mins
The Republic of Ireland Under-18 Schools International team captured the Centenary Shield on Friday night after a goal 12 minutes from time by Athlone's Robbie Benson secured the silverware for Dave Archbold's side.
England only required a draw at the Pirelli Stadium, home of Burton Albion FC, to retain the title but Ireland turned on the style in front of the live television camera to secure victory.
The Irish fielded an impressive starting eleven which saw Dundalk's Nathan Murphy return to the squad and a strike partnership of Robbie Benson and Castleisland's Sean Brosnan.
Ireland started the brighter with the visitors enjoying much of the possession. Daryl Horgan and Sean Skelly were impressive in the opening twenty minutes and the English midfield was struggling to get into the game with their familiar 3-5-2 formation.
The strike partnership of Brosnan and Benson was working well as the duo were very lively upfront and causing all sorts of problems for the English defence.
Ireland were tactically more advanced with the team playing slick football, moving the ball quickly around the park with ease and, more notably, giving the English little time to close them down.
The desire and work rate of Brosnan was fantastic as the Irish pressed forward with determination.
Ireland's defence was solid with captain Tomas Boyle, Brian Nolan and Jason Dwane playing superbly.
It was testament to their endeavours as goalkeeper Martin McGinty was rarely called into action in the first half. The Donegal teenager was flawless with a number of fine catches under pressure.
England eventually settled into the game with the interval fast approaching and it was youngster Boyce who had the best opportunity for the hosts after a great through ball from Gater in midfield. Boyce's effort sailed over the crossbar much to the relief of the Irish contingent.
The hosts made two changes at half time with Whitham and Regis replacing Gater and Boyce while Ireland took the opportunity to introduce Stephen Chambers for Adam Hanlon.
Six minutes in, Benson's deflected effort almost took the ball out of reach of Molloy but the ball drifted wide off the post.
The English were awarded a free kick on 56 minutes and, when Hancock played a near perfect ball into the box, Williams rose highest and his decent effort was nodded past the target.
Gary Shaw was introduced for the impressive Brosnan just over the hour mark as Manager Dave Archbold restructured the formation, thrusting Shaw, Skelly and Benson to play in more advanced roles.
England were exerting quite a bit of pressure in the final half hour. Hancock was again the supplier as he put Reece Yorke through but the presence of Tomas Boyle was enough to put the English midfielder off.
Ireland grabbed the vital goal on 78 minutes when Sean Skelly pressed forward on the counter attack and released Gary Shaw. The tall striker fed a pass back in the direction of Skelly, whose crafty step-over, found Benson in space and he buried the ball to the back of the net.
The Irish defence were sterling in their efforts during the late stages with England attempting to use the height of Williams and Kelly on all set pieces.
A nervous final ten for the visitors saw Bonagee clubman McGinty called into action. His confident display between the posts denied Rivers while Boyle's presence was enough to avert the danger-men of Williams and Kelly.
Sean Skelly nearly extended Ireland's lead at the other end with a crisp free kick on 83 minutes but Adam Molloy got down well to save.
Whitham had a decent strike on goal two minutes later but there was too much power in the strike and the ball rose high into the stand.
England grew in confidence as Kelly chested down to produce a snap shot on goal. McGinty was well positioned and produced a fine save to deny the defender.
With four minutes of additional time played, 16-year-old Tom Boakye was gifted the best chance of the game as he noticed McGinty of his line. His direction was good but the effort struck the crossbar.
The Irish were fortunate when Kenny Reeves advanced on goal in the last few seconds but he stumbled much to the relief of the visiting defence.
Ireland's last title was captured in 2008 as they defeated England 1-0 in the Stadium of Light. This feat was repeated for the Irish on Friday night as Captain Tomas Boyle stepped up to accept the Shield for the Irish. A wonderful occasion for the Schools International set-up which sees them champions for the fifth time in eight years.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: McGinty (Deele College), Nolan (St Paul's CC), Dwane (St. Peter's College), Boyle (Salesian College), Murphy (Colaiste Ris); Hanlon (Arklow CC), Douglas (St. Brendan's), Skelly (St. Joseph's Fairview), Horgan (St. Enda's, Galway), Brosnan (St. Patrick's SS, Castleisland) , Benson (Marist College)
Subs: Chambers (St. Fintan's) for Hanlon (h/t), Shaw (Patrician SS) for Brosnan (61 mins), Carroll (Confey CC, Leixlip) for Murphy (69 mins), Cooney (Templeogue College) for Douglas (90).
ENGLAND: Molloy, Yorke, Kelly, Williams, Boakye, Boyce, Hancock (Capt), Gater, Whitehead, Rivers, Reeves
Subs: Whitham for Gater (h/t), Regis for Boyce (h/t), Thompson Brown for Whitehead (83 mins).
Read more: Ireland face England in Centenary Shield Showdown
Republic of Ireland U-18 Schools 1-2 New Zealand U-18 Schools
Hugh Douglas 65 Tane Gent 33
Ryan Cain 38
TWO New Zealand goals in the space of five first-half minutes on Monday at Ballyoulster FC consigned the Republic of Ireland Schools team to defeat in their last warm-up match before the Centenary Shield decider against England on April 30.
Ireland boss Dave Archbold used this friendly to afford some vital game-time to squad players and newcomers ahead of the English encounter at Burton Albion on Friday fortnight.
And though the new-look Irish started brightly, they came unstuck against a powerful touring side who grabbed the initiative with a brace of goals just past the half hour mark.
To their credit, a second half comeback yielded a goal from substitute Hugh Douglas and they almost nicked a draw only for a few late chances to go astray.
Billy Lane was a livewire on the right flank for Ireland in the first half and forced a good stop from Kiwis' goalkeeper Alex Carr on five minutes following a good lay-off by Adam Hanlon.
Lane was again involved seven minutes later by cutting on from the wing and drilling a low delivery across the six-yard box. Sean Brosnan, Ireland's match-winner against Wales last month, attempted an audacious back-heel but Carr didn't blink and averted the danger.
Ryan Cain nodded over the visitors' first real chance of note on 16 minutes but they surged ahead in the 33rd minute when Tane Gent was given the space to break from midfield and tuck a low shot across Josh Byrne and into the far left corner.
New Zealand extended their lead five minutes later. Tim Pilkington launched a long free-kick from just inside the Ireland half into the box which Byrne failed to collect and Ryan Cain capitalised to tap home from close range.
Lane was near to halving the arrears with a header as half-time loomed yet Carr produced another assured save.
The Ireland manager made five changes at the break and one of those substitutes, Douglas, augmented the Irish attack with his industrious runs from midfield.
His goal-bound header was on the hour was deflected wide but three minutes later, he arrived on cue to nod Marwin Azimi's corner into the net.
The Boys in Green continued to look dangerous and captain Tomas Boyle should have at least worked the goalkeeper with a free header that he angled over.
Azimi had the ball in the net with 20 minutes but his celebrations were premature as he was adjudged to have been in an offside position.
Pilkington could have settled it for the visitors seven minutes from time when he broke through but Hanlon got back to snuff out the chance.
And Ireland might have snared a draw two minutes later as Brosnan's header diverted a shot from Chris MacBride onto the crossbar.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Josh Byrne - De La Salle College, Waterford (Marty McGinty - Deele College 75); Robbie Gaul - Colaiste Choilm, Swords (Brian Nolan - St Paul's CC 46), Tomas Boyle - Salesian College, Niall Cooney - Templeogue College (Marwin Azimi - Rosmini 60), Jake Carroll - Confey CC, Leixlip (Jason Dwane - St. Peter's College 46); Billy Lane - Presentation College, Athenry (Hugh Douglas - St. Brendan's College 46), Barry O'Mahoney - Summerhill College, Sligo (Chris MacBride - St Columbas College, Stranorlar 46), Jack-Tim Murphy - St. Peter's, Wexford (Shane McInerney - Athlone CC 80); Gary Shaw - Patrician SS (Darragh Walshe - St. Kieran's, Carlow 46), Sean Brosnan - St. Patrick's SS, Castleisland).
NEW ZEALAND: Alex Carr, Tom Biggs, Tane Gent, Matt Shaw, Daniel Minshell, Tim Pilkington, James Lawson, Thomas Doyle, Ryan Cain, Josh Morrison, Ashton Pett.
REFEREE: Darren Carey.
The Republic of Ireland Under-18 Schools team who are only one game away from getting their hands on the coveted Centenary Shield play their final warm-up match today (Monday) when they take on New Zealand at Ballyoulster United FC in Celbridge
(3pm)
Republic of Ireland 5-2 Scotland
Tom O'Halloran 17, Hugh Douglas 27 Daniel Fitzpatrick (32), Martin Boyle (42)
Gary Shaw 55, Sean Skelly 80, 87
THREE second-half goals secured a valuable Centenary Shield win for the Republic of Ireland Under-18 Schools side in a thrilling encounter against Scotland played in dreadfully wet conditions at Finn Park, Ballybofey on Friday night.
The win moves Ireland to the top of the table in the five-nation Centenary Shield competition with Dave Archbold's side in prime position to capture the Shield with a clincher away to England on Friday, April 30.
Archbold had to draft two late replacements into the squad with the absence of Nathan Murphy due to club commitments with Dundalk and an injury to Daryl Horgan. The pair were replaced by the resourceful Jack-Tim Murphy and Adam O'Hanlon.
The Irish were particularly impressive early on and rushed into a two-goal lead. Tom O'Halloran drove in the first on 17 minutes from just inside the box he was picked out by Robbie Benson, who had been involved in two previous promising attacks.
Hugh Douglas got their second just before the half hour mark when he pounced to stab the ball home from close range after Scottish goalkeeper Andrew Murphy was unable to gather a Sean Skelly free.
Ireland appeared to be in command, but Scotland then pulled a goal back just past the half-hour with Daniel Fitzpatrick firing in from the edge of the penalty area.
Suddenly the Scots were back in the game on having gone close through a Martin Boyle shot they then drew level on 42 minutes as Boyle found the target with a great shot into the bottom corner of the net.
Daly McSorley arrowed just wide for Scotland shortly after the interval before Ireland regained their lead on 55 minutes with Benson doing well to evade two defenders before crossing to the far post where substitute Gary Shaw forced the ball into the net in a crowded goalmouth.
Scotland almost equalised three minutes later when Rory Emslie let fly with a cracking shot only for Irish goalkeeper Marty McGinty produced a finger-tip save to divert the ball onto the woodwork and out for a corner.
Both sides had chances as play swung from end to end with no lack of endeavour despite the energy-sapping conditions.
Adam O'Hanlon's introduction after the hour brought great vibrancy to the game. His pace was electric down the wing and he narrowly missed out on a goal when his shot in the box 12 minutes later just inched over the crossbar.
This was shortly followed by a smashing effort by Benson which drifted wide of the right post.
Ireland made it 4-2 through excellent work from youngster Jack Tim Murphy. His darting run to goal was thwarted by Richard Kirwan and Liam Mushet but Murphy managed to hold the ball up for Sean Skelly in space. His tremendous 20 yard strike on 81 minutes rattled the bottom corner to the roar of the home supporters.
Scotland had no option but to push forward in search of some late minute goals, however, the home side added a fifth on the counter attack.
Skelly's initial shot hit the post, but he followed up to plant the ball into the net in gleeful fashion.
Archbold's side will prepare for the final game of the series with an International friendly against New Zealand at Ballyoulster FC on Monday, 12 April (3pm). This will give the Irish management time to look at a few players before the final squad is selected for the all important final fixture.
The curtain will come down on the Centenary Shield campaign with live coverage on Sky Sports as the Republic of Ireland travel to Burton Albion at the end of the month to take on England for an opportunity to lift the prestigious title (KO 7.40pm)
Republic of Ireland: Marty McGinty (Deele College), Brian Nolan (St Paul's CC), Jason Dwane (St. Peter's College), Tomas Boyle (Salesian College), Sean Skelly (St. Joseph's Fairview), Robbie Benson (Marist College, Athlone), Tom O'Halloran (Athlone CC), Jake Carroll (Confey CC, Leixlip), Hugh Douglas (St. Brendan's College), Stephen Chambers (St. Fintan's), Sean Brosnan (St. Patrick's SS, Castleisland).
Subs: Jack Tim Murphy (St. Peter's, Wexford) for Brosnan and Gary Shaw (Patrician SS) for O'Halloran (both 45 mins), Adam Hanlon (Arklow CC) for Chambers (66 mins), Niall Cooney (Templeogue College) for Douglas (88 mins), Darragh Walshe (St. Kieran's, Carlow) for Benson (90 mins).
Scotland: Andrew Murphy, Martin Bucknell, Jonathan Clarke, Richard Kirwan, Liam Mushet, Frazer Keast, Daniel Fitzpatrick, Michael Hunter, Martin Boyle, Daly McSorley, Rory Emslie.
Subs: Alan Cooke for Keast (62 mins), Kieran McGachie for Emslie (73 mins), Frank Kameni for Clarke (84 mins)
Referee: Mr. Stephen Toner (Donegal).
Address: National Sports Campus, 
