THE Northern Ireland U18 Schoolboys team can lift the Centenary Shield if they avoid defeat against their Republic of Ireland counterparts at the Dub, Belfast on Thursday evening (6pm).
The hosts have already notched up seven points after two 1-0 wins over Scotland and Wales and a goalless draw against England. England also have seven points but have played all their games in the five-team U18 Schoolboys tournament and can now only hope for a share of the SAFIB (Schools Association Football International Board) trophy.
The Republic only have a point from two games after drawing 1-1 with Scotland then losing 2-0 to England last Friday evening in Dalymount Park.
However, they could still grab a share of the prize if they win their remaining two fixtures. They will host Wales next Thursday evening (April 25, at 7pm) in Home Farm FC in the final game of the 2019 Shield schedule.
The only change to the Republic of Ireland side will see Jack O’Connor of St Louis CS, Kiltimagh in for Oatlands College grad Jake Ellis.
NI boss Frankie Wilson has chosen an 18-strong panel, including Josh Largo-Ellis of Ballinamallard United, who starred as St Michael’s, Enniskillen won Gaelic football’s All-Ireland Hogan Cup. He returns along with Malachy Smith (Breda Academy/ Glentoran), Jack Bradley (St Joseph’s Boys’, Derry/ Coleraine), and Trai Hume (NIFL Academy/Linfield); all four missed the England game.
Midfielder Sean Og Gallagher (Trinity College, Belfast/ Glentoran) has retained his place in the squad after receiving his first call-up for the match against England earlier this month.
Missing out this time are Callum McVeigh (Down High School/ Linfield) and Ethan Wynne (Bangor Academy/ Linfield), the latter the scorers of the goal in the 1-0 win away to Wales.
Northern Ireland U18 Schoolboys squad:
Goalkeepers - Ruadhan McKenna (Rathmore Grammar/ Cliftonville), Paul McLaughlin (Christian Brothers, Belfast/ Glentoran);
Defenders - Jamie Glover (Ashfield Boys’ High/ Glentoran), Josh Largo-Ellis (St Michael’s Enniskillen/ Ballinamallard United), Malachy Smith (Breda Academy/ Glentoran), Ruari O’Hare (St Patrick’s, Downpatrick/ Linfield), Patrick Burns (captain - St Malachy’s, Belfast/ Glenavon);
Midfielders – Lewis McGarvey (St Malachy’s, Belfast/ Glentoran), Andrew Whiteside (Coleraine GS/ Coleraine), Jack Bradley (St Joseph’s Boys’, Derry/ Coleraine), Trai Hume (NIFL Academy/ Linfield), Sean Og Gallagher (Trinity College, Belfast/ Glentoran), Jake Corbett (SERC Lisburn/ Linfield), Liam Hassin (Larne High/ Larne), Sam Robb (Fivemiletown College/ Ballinamallard United), Ryan Carmichael (St Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon/ Portadown);
Forwards – Calvin McCurry (De La Salle, Belfast/ St Oliver Plunkett), Callum Ferris (NIFL Academy/ Portadown).
Republic of Ireland squad:
David Odumosu (O’Fiaich College, Dundalk), Keith Carter (Colaiste Choilm, Swords), Josh Honohan (St Francis College, Rochestown), Daragh Ellison (St Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), Corey McBride (Carndonagh Community School), Niall O’Keeffe (De La Salle College, Waterford), Matthew O’Reilly (Midleton CBS), Colin Kelly (St Joseph’s College, Galway), Brandon Bermingham (St Mary’s Diocesan School, Drogheda), Jack Doherty (Carndonagh Community School), Adam Lynch (Summerhill College), Ross Tierney (St Aidan’s CBS, Whitehall), Jamie Cleary (Drimnagh Castle CBS), James Clarke (Boyne Community School, Trim), Lee McLaughlin (Carndonagh Community School), Reece Murphy (Wexford CBS), Dónal Higgins (Yeats College, Galway), Jack O’Connor (St Louis Community School).
