The Ireland Schools suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of Cymru in their opening fixture of the 2025 SAFIB Centenary Shield series in Graun Park, Tramore AFC.

Welsh star Abel Mwenera was serving a suspension following his dismissal against Scotland late on last week as they drew one,  while Ireland were without Fionn McNamara (St. Patrick’s College, Cavan) due to injury.
 
A solitary first half goal from Welsh talisman Osian Morris eight minutes from the break was the decisive factor in this physically challenging encounter.
 
It was a frustrating afternoon for Derek O’Brien’s side as nothing fell right for the hosts. Summerhill College pupil Callum Lynch saw his superb free-kick stopped on the line by a desperately scampering Nathaniel Osbourne 14 minutes in.
 
While Harvey Chapman saw his effort saved brilliantly by Coola scholar Kyle Gabbidon midway through the half.
 
Despite Ireland’s dominance, Wales made the breakthrough on 37 minutes when Morris connected perfectly with a Tarran Hollinshead cross to see them go in, one up at the break.
 
Osbourne was in fine form for the visitors as St. Brendan’s College, Killarney grad Luke Doolan had a few half chances in the second period to carve out an equaliser but couldn’t get past the shot-stopper.
 
Ballyhaunis CS student Oisin Kelly smashed the ball off the woodwork 11 minutes from time as well as a decent opportunity from the Bish’s James Morahan only for Osbourne to palm away in added time.
 
It was a disappointing result for the Irish as they dominated for large parts of the game but that killer blow just wouldn’t come.
 
It’s a quick turnaround for the students as they travel to Stenhousemuir next Wednesday afternoon for a battle with Scotland on Thursday, March 27 (1.0).  Scotland are flying high at the top of the table as we reach the midway point in the series next week. The Scots have managed four points from a possible six with a 6-2 thumping of England on the opening night while they followed this up with a 60th minute equaliser away to Wales last week after an early Morris goal gave Welsh a worthy lead.
 
Then the Republic of Ireland face holders Northern Ireland in Blanchflower Stadium, Belfast on April 11th, while they will conclude the season at home to England on Thursday, April 24th in Athlone Town Stadium.
 
 
Republic of Ireland Schools Select: Kyle Gabbidon (Coola Post Primary School, Sligo), Aaron Cass (Abbey Community College, Ferrybank), Alain Kizenga (St. Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue), James Morahan (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).
 
Substitutes Used: Sam Neville (Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge) for Cass (46 minutes), Jack Sweeney (Merlin College, Galway) for Lynch (73 minutes), Jacob Carroll (St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway) for Jones (83 minutes).
 
Substitutes Not Used: Ethan Cheese (Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge), MacDaragh Scanlon, Billy Regan, (both St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway), Daniel Cunningham (Coláiste na Carraige, Carrick, Donegal).
 
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).
 
 
2025 SAFIB Centenary Shield
 
RESULTS
February 28th | Scotland 6-2 England
March 14th | Cymru 1-1 Scotland
March 14th | England 0-2 Northern Ireland
March 20th | Republic of Ireland 0-1 Cymru
 
FIXTURES
March 27th | Scotland v Republic of Ireland, Stenhousemuir (KO 13:00)
April 4th | Northern Ireland v Scotland, Blanchflower Stadium (KO 19:00)
April 11th | England v Cymru, Macclesfield (KO 19:00)
April 11th | Northern Ireland v Republic of Ireland, Blanchflower Stadium (KO 19:00)
April 24th | Republic of Ireland v England, Athlone Town AFC (KO 19:00)
April 24th | Cymru v Northern Ireland, Briton Ferry FC (KO 19:00)