2007 08 Archive
Summary of 2007/08 Season
Boys’ International (U18)
Wales 1 – 2 Republic of Ireland
St. Helen’s Grounds, Swansea, 29 February 2008
Captain Robbie Creevy and defender Gary Murphy were missing for this clash against Wales in Swansea.
The match was played in windswept conditions in St. Helen’s Cricket and Football Grounds.
The team had a hard fought 2-1 victory over the Welsh outfit. Wales opened the scoring 9 minutes in with some slack defending from the Irish. John Mulroy equalised in the second half with all to play for. The lads grew in confidence and super sub Kevin Barry found the winner with ten minutes remaining to secure victory for the Irish.
Republic of Ireland 2 – 0 Northern Ireland
Milebush Park, Castlebar, 17 March 2008
A goal apiece from John Mulroy and Jake Kelly in the first half gave the Republic of Ireland victory over Northern Ireland on St, Patrick’s Day.
It was the second win on the bounce for the Irish in their Centenary Shield campaign.
Ireland did all the early pressing and seized the initiative just past the half hour mark when Moyle Park College striker John Mulroy struck the opener by latching onto a cross from Captain Robbie Creevy and firing home.
Another well-worked move led to the second goal, scored a minute before half-time. Shane Clarke, one of four players in the Irish line-up representing the Limerick CBS Sexton Street school, found Jake Kelly with a through ball and he controlled the pass before tucking the shot beyond the goalkeeper.
Ireland withstood a spell of pressure from Northern Ireland early in the second half and held on to clinch victory.
Republic of Ireland 2 - 2 Scotland
Leah Victoria Park, Tullamore, 4 April 2008
The Republic of Ireland were without their influential Captain Robert Creevy (Salesian College, Celbridge and Shamrock Rovers) for their last home game in the competition. This did not deter the Irish from establishing a 2-0 interval lead. However, the home side lost their shape in the second half which brought Scotland right back into the game.
Slack defending by the home side contributed to Scotland’s opening goal in the 68th minute, which came courtesy of their Captain, Liam Corr. He was allowed all the time in the world to head past McGinley from close range.
Just when Ireland appeared to have secured victory over the Scots, the visitors struck a minute from time with a goal that was worthy of being a match-winner, Liam Corr splitting the home defence with a great pass to Kevin Ireland, who promptly buried in the corner of the net.
The draw leaves the Republic with a fighting chance to capture the Centenary Shield when they make the trip over to the Stadium of Light, Sunderland to face England in the finale of their campaign
England 0- 1 Republic of Ireland
Stadium of Light, Sunderland, 18 April 2008
Sean Carr’s men got the victory the needed at the Stadium of Light on Friday night against a confident England side to capture the Centenary Shield.
The travelling Irish lapped up the electric atmosphere in the Stadium as they pressed forward at every opportunity.
England was eager to advance and had a number of missed opportunities in the opening minutes from Luke Cole and Tom Grice who squandered both opportunities in front of goal.
John Mulroy had a great shot saved by the in-form keeper Wannell on 32 minutes while Shane Clarke expertly played in Kevin Barry who just sent his effort wide of the left post on 37 minutes.
John Mulroy of Moyle Park College, Clondalkin scored the only goal of the contest with 39 minutes played when a penalty was awarded after he was fouled inside the box.
It was the fourth goal of the campaign for the stiker, as he scored in every one of Ireland’s games. Mulroy plays his club football for Bray Wanderers in the eircom League of Ireland Premier Division.
Captain Robert Creevy controlled the midfield with some splendid through balls into Clarke and Barry up front. However, Ireland was unable to capitalise on their lead.
England applied the pressure late on but the Irish defence were too strong for the rare English attack.
The Irish concluded the four game series undefeated on ten points after beating Wales, Northern Ireland and England as well as drawing with Scotland.
England required victory against the Republic of Ireland at Sunderland’s ground to seize the initiative in the group but they won’t be able to catch Sean Carr’s side even if they win their final fixture in the pool against Scotland at Wembley Stadium.
The Republic of Ireland’s victory in the Centenary Shield was an all round team performance. Sean Carr stated “all 20 players contributed to this year’s success and I’m very proud of the effort and commitment of the lads over the course of the campaign”.
Girls' International (U15)
Salthill Devon`s excellent grounds at Drom hosted the Bob Docherty FAI Schools Girl`s Internationals over the weekend (11 - 13 April) and for Manager Michael Gallagher it was a very successful campaign as the Republic of Ireland retained their title by winning all their three games.
Having seen off the challenges of Scotland and Wales in their opening two contests, the Republic of Ireland clinched the title with a 2-0 success over Northern Ireland in their final game on Sunday morning.
Ireland made the perfect start in a contest in which they only needed a point to clinch the title, when Rebecca Kearney brought her tally for the series to four with the opener after just 3 minutes.
The home side continued to build on that cushion and just before the break made it 2-0.
On this occasion a Jessica Gleeson free kick was saved by `keeper Nicole Adams and Tanya Kennedy was following up to tap in the rebound from close range.
The resumption saw the visitors enjoy a little more possession, but seldom did they look like breaching the home side`s rearguard.
The victory gave Ireland success in the international series for the second year in a row and they did so on this occasion without conceding a goal.
Indeed it is their fourth success in the competition since it began in 2002.
The Irish girls opened their campaign on Friday with a 1-0 victory over Scotland. Ciara Grant notched the opening half match winner with a close range shot.
With Dora Gorman revelling on her home ground, the Irish side had the better chances throughout with Rebecca Kearney hitting the crossbar, while in the second half Niamh O`Dea twice went close to increasing their advantage.
Rebecca Kearney then hit a hat trick as Wales were demolished 4-0 in Ireland`s second outing on Saturday.
The Cork schoolgirl gave the home side an interval advantage, as she finished well after a strong run into the box.
Kearney then added two more on the resumption as she cracked home a 25 yard effort for the second and then completed her hat trick with a fine drive past Ellis Bethan.
Donegal native, Tanya Kennedy who was denied an earlier breakthrough by the woodwork notched Ireland’s fourth when she headed home an Avril Kilkelly corner.
Neighbours Northern Ireland picked up just a single point from the three match programme as Siobhan Bell finished off a Kendra McMullan corner from close range to give them a 1-1 draw with Wales in their opening contest.
In their second game they were beaten 2-0 by a Scottish side for whom Eilish McSorley got both goals.
After the final game, Irish captain Olivia Smartt was presented with the winning trophy by FAI Schools Chairman, Tom Bolger.
Afterwards Irish manager, Roscommon native Michael Gallagher expressed his delight with the success. "Obviously to retain the title was our goal and the manner in which we achieved it was most pleasing. Without a doubt the girls deserved their success and I am delighted that all eighteen in the squad played a part at some stage."
"Now to keep three clean sheets was an achievement, but in fairness to all we prepared as professionally as we could and I`ve no doubt that a number of these player`s will go on to play at higher levels of international football".
Gallagher finally added "the facilities here are top class and it only added to our ability to achieve success and I want to thank all those involved in organising a great tournament".
Republic of Ireland: Niamh Mailey (Deele College, Raphoe), Joanna Byrne (Eureka Kells), Olivia Smartt (Mount Sackville, Dublin), Jessica Gleeson (St Angela`s, Waterford), Megan Cambell (Our Lady`s College, Drogheda), Ciara Grant (Loreto Convent, Letterkenny), Niamh O`Dea (Scoil Muire, Ennistymon), Dora Gorman (Dominican College, Galway), Tanya Kennedy (St Columba’s, Stranorlar), Rebecca Kearney (St Angela`s College, Cork), Stacey Freyne (Balla Secondary School, Mayo), Avril Kilkelly (Sacred Heart School, Westport), Erica Cahill (Trinity Comprehensive, Ballymun), Ciara O`Brien (St Angela`s, Waterford), Aileen Gilroy (St Patrick`s College, Mayo), Kellie Allen (Eureka Kells), Kate Keeney (Abbey Voc School, Donegal), Emer Cassidy (Malahide Community School).
Manager: Michael Gallagher (Summerhill College, Athlone).
Asst Manager: Margaret Mulhall (Moville Community College, Donegal).
Coach: Dave Collins (Alexandra College, Dublin).
Results:
Friday 11 April
Republic of Ireland 1 – 0 Scotland
Northern Ireland 1 – 1 Wales
Saturday 12 April
Republic of Ireland 4 – 0 Wales
Scotland 3 – 0 Northern Ireland
Sunday 13 April
Scotland 5 – 0 Wales
Republic of Ireland 2 – 0 Northern Ireland
