Cunningham a late substitute as Ireland run riot in SAFIB Centenary Shield

The Republic Of Ireland Schools defeated SAFIB Centenary Shield holders Northern Ireland in Blanchflower Stadium following an eight-goal thriller.

Daniel Cunningham from Coláiste na Carraige was a second-half substitute for Ireland, while goalkeeper Corey Sheridan of Coláiste Cholmcille, Ballyshannon, was also part of the squad in the 6-2 win. Ollie Horgan, the former Finn Harps manager from St Eunan's College in Letterkenny, is part of the management team, with Milford’s Mickey McGylnn the squad’s physio.

The hosts were unbeaten in the competition thus far, having won their opening game 2-0 away to England, following this up with a tense 3-3 draw at home to Scotland last week in the same venue. But the wheels came undone for Simon Nicks’ side in the second half tonight as the Republic ran riot.

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It’s the first win on the board for Derek O’Brien’s side in their third outing, having lost 1-0 to both Wales and Scotland.

Jack Sweeney from Merlin College Galway grabbed a hat-trick having come off the bench, as well as goals from Adam Brennan of Hartstown Community School in Dublin 15, Rhys Knight, Clonkeen College, Blackrock, Dublin, and Sam Neville, Patrician Secondar School, Newbridge, were all on target. Sam McClintock and Senan Devine scored for Northern Ireland.

Republic of Ireland Schools – MacDaragh Scanlon, Jacob Carroll, James Morahan, Billy Regan (All St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway), Alain Kizenga (St. Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue), Adam Nolan (Maynooth Community College), Rhys Knight (Clonkeen College, Blackrock), Matt Jones (St. Flannan’s College, Ennis), Adam Brennan (Hartstown Community School), Sam Neville (Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge), Aaron Cass (Abbey Community College, Ferrybank)

Subs Used – Oisín Kelly (Ballyhaunis Community School) for Cass (61), Jack Sweeney (Merlin College, Galway) for Carroll (61), Daniel Cunningham (Coláiste na Carraige, Carrick, Donegal) for Regan (78), Callum Lynch (Summerhill College, Sligo) for Neville (78), Luke Doolan (St. Brendan’s College, Killarney) for Knight (81)

Subs Not Used – Corey Sheridan (Coláiste Cholmcille, Ballyshannon), Fionn McNamara (St. Patrick’s College, Cavan)

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)

Northern Ireland – Oisin Murray, Sam McClintock, Ciaran Rodgers Duffy, James Hood, Aidan Tejada, Joseph Sheridan, Owen O’Neill, Oilibhear McCart, Josh Williamson, Senan Devine ©

Subs – Brandon Downey, James Simpson, James McClure, Milo Beimers, Sam Sproule, Callum Cowan, Caoimhin McDermott

Management – Simon Nicks, Neil McGaughey, Richard Clarke, Eamon Curry, James McGaughey

Match Official – Philip Caulfield