Three Galway Players Involved with Republic of Ireland Schools Side in Narrow Loss to Wales

St. Joseph’s The Bish duo James Morahan and Jacob Carroll, and Merlin College’s Jack Sweeney were involved with the Republic of Ireland schools yesterday in their 1-0 defeat to Wales on Thursday (20th March).

They’ll aim to bounce straight back in the SAFIB Centenary Shield next Thursday (27th) when they travel to Scotland in Round 2.

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Republic of Ireland 0-1 Wales

Osian Morris (37)

THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of Wales in their opening fixture of the 2025 SAFIB Centenary Shield series  in Graun Park, Tramore AFC this afternoon (March 20).

Welsh star Abel Mwenera was serving a suspension following his dismissal against Scotland late on last week as they drew one,  while Ireland were without Fionn McNamara (St. Patrick’s College, Cavan) due to injury.

A solitary first half goal from Welsh talisman Osian MORRIS eight minutes from the break was the decisive factor in this physically challenging encounter.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Derek O’Brien’s side as nothing fell right for the hosts. Summerhill College pupil Callum Lynch saw his superb free-kick stopped on the line by a desperately scampering Nathaniel Osbourne 14 minutes in.

While Harvey Chapman saw his effort saved brilliantly by Coola scholar Kyle Gabbidon midway through the half.

Despite Ireland’s dominance, Wales made the breakthrough on 37 minutes when Osian MORRIS connected perfectly with a Tarran Hollinshead cross to see them go in, one up at the break.

Osbourne was in fine form for the visitors as St. Brendan’s College, Killarney grad Luke Doolan had a few half chances in the second period to carve out an equaliser but couldn’t get past the shot-stopper.

Ballyhaunis CS student Oisin Kelly smashed the ball off the woodwork 11 minutes from time as well as a decent opportunity from the Bish’s James Morahan only for Osbourne to palm away in added time.

It was a disappointing result for the Irish as they dominated for large parts of the game but that killer blow just wouldn’t come.

It’s a quick turnaround for the students as they travel to Stenhousemuir next Wednesday afternoon for a battle with Scotland on Thursday, March 27 (1.0).  Scotland are flying high at the top of the table as we reach the midway point in the series next week. The Scots have managed four points from a possible six with a 6-2 thumping of England on the opening night while they followed this up with a 60^th minute equaliser away to Wales last week after an early Morris goal gave Welsh a worthy lead.

Then the Republic of Ireland face holders Northern Ireland in Blanchflower Stadium, Belfast on April 11 (7.0) while they’ll conclude the season at home to England on Thursday, April 24 in Athlone Town AFC (7.0).

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

St. Mac Dara’s Community College student and Ireland skipper Alain KIZENGA was rewarded for his solid performance for the hosts when he was named POTM. 

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS SELECT | Kyle GABBIDON (Coola Post Primary School, Sligo), Aaron CASS (Abbey Community College, Ferrybank), Alain KIZENGA © (St. Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue), James MORAHAN (St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway), Luke DOOLAN (St. Brendan’s College, Killarney), Adam NOLAN (Maynooth Community College), Rhys KNIGHT (Clonkeen College, Blackrock), Callum LYNCH (Summerhill College, Sligo), Matt JONES (St. Flannan’s College, Ennis), Oisín KELLY (Ballyhaunis Community School), Adam BRENNAN (Hartstown Community School)

SUBS USED | Sam NEVILLE (Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge) for Cass (HT), Jack SWEENEY (Merlin College, Galway) for Lynch (73), Jacob CARROLL (St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway) for Jones (83)

SUBS NOT USED | Ethan CHEESE (Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge), MacDaragh SCANLON, Billy REGAN, (both St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway), Daniel CUNNINGHAM (Coláiste na Carraige, Carrick, Donegal)

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)

WALES | Nathaniel Osbourne,  Conor Partridge, Dylan Packer, Rocco Dyer, Osian Morris, Ricky Owen ©, Adam Cartwright, Harvey Chapman, Jack Florence, Jack Jones, Tarran Hollinshead

SUBS USED | Gwydion Dafis for Hollinshead (66), Morgan Davies for Dyer (66), Alfie Davis for Cartwright (80)

SUBS NOT USED  | Rhys Williams, Shivo Hinds, Jaden Tang

MANAGEMENT STAFF | Head Coach Marc Lloyd Williams, Assistant Manager Richard South, Physio Andrew Thomas, Equipment Manager Roger Skryme

20/3/2025 The Rep.of Ireland team who took took part in the Rep.of Ireland v Wales SAFIB U18 Centenary Shield game at Graun Park, Tramore, Co.Waterford. Picture:Noel Browne

2025 SAFIB Centenary Shield

RESULTS

February 28        Scotland 6-2 England Greenock Morton (1.0)

March 14              Wales 1-1 Scotland, Airbus FC (1.0)

March 14              England 0-2 Northern Ireland, Truro (7.3)

March 20             Republic of Ireland 0-1 Wales, Graun Park, Tramore (1.0)

FIXTURES

March 27             Scotland vs Republic of Ireland, Stenhousemuir (1.0)

April 4                  Northern Ireland vs Scotland, Blanchflower Stadium (7.0)

April 11                  England vs Wales, Macclesfield (7.0)

April 11                  Northern Ireland vs Republic of Ireland, Blanchflower Stadium (7.0)

April 24                Republic of Ireland vs England, Athlone Town AFC (7.0)

April 24                Wales vs Northern Ireland, Briton Ferry FC (7.0)

Centenary Shield Roll of Honour