GARETH DOHERTY And Adrian Delap featured in Killarney as the Republic of Ireland Schools team claimed a 3-1 victory over Scotland Schools in a Centenary Shield clash.
Doherty from St Columba’s College in Stranorlar and Finn Harps and Derry City’s Delap from Loreto Community School Milford came on in the second half in Kerry.
Photo caption: Gareth Doherty and Adrian Delap all smiles in Killaney this evening. Photo: Stephen Doherty
Finn Harps manager Ollie Horgan is assistant manager of the Irish team and BJ Banda from Harps and Raphoe Royal & Prior was an unused sub.
Goals from Conor Kane, Ryan O’Donoghue, and Jamie Aherne sealed the win by half-time even though Bradley Manson pulled one back late on for the visitors.
It was always going to be a tricky fixture for Paddy O’Reilly’s side, but quick counter attacking ensured Ireland took control early on. And once they continued to improve as the game wore on.
In fact, there was only 12 minutes on the clock when Kane, representing Lucan CBS, opened the scoring with a cool finish and that set the tone for the attack-minded approach from the hosts.
On 42 minutes, O’Donoghue, from Our Lady’s Secondary School in Belmullet, broke free to blast in the second goal as Ireland maintained their dominance in the first period.
Just before the break, Confey College student Aherne added a third goal from the penalty spot and that advantage stayed intact all the way until the 73rd minute when Manson scored for Scotland.
The win was much deserved for Ireland and one that they can take a lot of confidence from due to their positive style of play and clinical finishing.
Republic of Ireland: Donnelly; Hanney, O’Donoghue (Delap h-t), Gibbons, McCarthy (Brouder 55), Scales, Kane (Doherty h-t), Lacey (Morgan 27), Grimes (Doherty 63), Drinan, Aherne.
Scotland: Morton; McRitchie (McDonald h-t), Kirkwood, Laing, Cook, Manson, Banner, Strachan (Smith 64), MacLeod (Kane h-t), Koshoedo, Cunningham (Martin 76).
