New Republic of Ireland Schools Head Coach John McSHANE (International School Dublin) has named eighteen players for his opening match against Scotland at Home Farm FC next Thursday (March 17). The St. Patrick’s Day encounter kicks off at 7pm in the Whitehall venue.
Following the FAI Schools Interprovincial Tournament last December, McShane and his management staff whittled down the 64 players that starred in that event to nearly 30 players for his initial trial. Over the course of the next three months, they cut the training squad accordingly with a number of students on standby, should their services be required over the campaign.
Galway Schools are represented by Michael McCULLAGH and David TARMEY (both Coláiste Bhaile Chláir) and Steven HEALY (Calasanctius College, Oranmore).
Mayo's Darragh REILLY (St. Gerald’s College, Castlebar) and Leitrim's Eanna Clancy (St Clare's Manorhamilton) are the only other Connacht players in the squad.
The Shield makes a welcome return following a two year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last week, saw the first of ten games streamed on the BBC iplayer (red button) as Scotland beat Northern Ireland 3-2. Indeed Northern Ireland are out again today (Thursday, March 10) as they host Wales in Belfast.
The second of the Republic of Ireland’s fixtures will see the team travel to Maginn Park in Buncrana when they take on their Northern counterparts.
The third outing will see the Republic of Ireland feature in Eastleigh FC as England host while the Irish side’s campaign will conclude in Caernarfon FC against Wales at the end of April with the conclusion of the 2022 series.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS | Eanna CLANCY (St. Clare’s Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton), Steven HEALY (Calasanctius College, Oranmore), John O’DONOVAN (Clonakilty Community College), Leon AYINDE (Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh, Cork), Alex HEALY BYRNE (Glanmire Community College), Charlie O’BRIEN (Pobalscoil na Trionóide, Youghal) and Zach DUNNE (Presentation Brothers College, Cork), Oisín COLEMAN (St. Mary’s Diocesan School), Michael RAGGET (St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny), Michael KEYES (Malahide Community School), Tadhg WALSH (St. Joseph’s CBS, Fairview), Michael McCULLAGH and David TARMEY (both Coláiste Bhaile Chláir), Kieran CRUISE and Lennon GILL (both St. Benildus College, Stillorgan), Darragh REILLY (St. Gerald’s College, Castlebar), Michael KEYES (Malahide Community School), Tadhg WALSH (St. Joseph’s CBS, Fairview)
MANAGEMENT | John McSHANE, Head Coach (Dublin International School), Derek O’BRIEN, Coach (Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore) Ollie HORGAN, Coach (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), Conor FOLEY, GK Coach (Athlone Community College), Martin CAVANAGH, Equipment Manager (Carndonagh Community School), Michael McGLYNN (Physio), Dr. Aidan O’COLMAIN (Team Doctor),
