REPORT | Ireland clinch 2022 Victory Shield title
The Republic of Ireland Men's Under-16s have clinched a third Victory Shield title after a resounding 4-1 win over Scotland in Gruan Park, Tramore.
First-half goals from Shamrock Rovers’ Ike Orazi, St Patrick’s Athletic’s Mason Melia, Derby County’s Niall McAndrew and a penalty from Bohemian’s Sean Moore gave Ireland an emphatic win over the Scots.
Ireland have now won three Victory Shield titles since entering the tournament in 2015 with today's title a first since 2016.
Paul Osam’s side had won their two previous games over Wales and Northern Ireland on penalties earning four points, so they knew only a win over Scotland – who had six points – in normal time would bring home the Victory Shield.
Ireland starting the game in scintillating fashion. Melia broke from midfield and played it to Orazi who stroked the ball into the bottom corner beyond Alfie Halliwell in the fifth minute.
Four minutes later Melia found the net when he diverted Niall McAndrew’s effort into the bottom corner as Ireland cruised into a two-goal lead.
Scotland struck back when Lewis Pirie’s effort hit the post and Ronan Ferris fired home the rebound in the 30th minute.
The visitors got much more control of the game but Ireland had a great chance to restore their two-goal lead in the 36th minute when Orazi was sent through on goal, he rounded the goalkeeper but Cameron Scott did superbly to clear off the line.
In the second half McAndrew had a great chance when his curling effort looked to the top corner but It hit the stanchion behind the goal and rippled the wrong side of the net. But he'd find the right side of the net in the 57th minute when he struck a first-time effort beyond Halliwell to put Ireland into a commanding 3-1 lead.
In the final minute Ireland were awarded a penalty after Kyle Fitzgerald was brought down and Moore slotted it past Halliwell to secure the title for the Boys in Green.
Speaking after the tournament, Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-16 Head Coach Paul Osam said: “We finished off with a stunning performance and from one to twenty two, each of the players have contributed to this tournament. It’s about the players’ development and winning is a bonus but don’t get me wrong it’s a special feeling.
“It’s great for the boys as well and it’s special to win it here in Ireland in the beautiful city of Waterford. The people have been fantastic with us all week.
"I’d like to thank my staff who have been amazing all week and it’s great to be able to celebrate this win together.”
Republic of Ireland: Collins (Gill, 41), Harnett, Callicoe, McCarthy, Vassenin, M.Moore (C), McAndrew (O’Donnell, 80), Vodo (S. Moore 56), Orazi (Kavanagh, 76), Murray, Melia (Marshall, 80)
Scotland: Halliwell, Wyllie (Burn, 4!), Scott, Ferris, Borland (Landers, 75), Wilson (C), J. Fletcher, McDonald (Stevenson, 66), T. Fletcher, Chambers (Hale, 41), Pirie (King, 66)
Referee: Thomas Joyce
2022 Victory Shield Results
Sunday, October 30
Republic of Ireland MU16 2-2 Wales MU16 (Ireland win 5-4 on penalties)
Northern Ireland MU16 1-3 Scotland MU16
Tuesday, November 1
Republic of Ireland MU6 1-1 Northern Ireland MU16 (Ireland win 3-1 on penalties)
Scotland MU16 3-2 Wales MU16
Friday, November 4
Republic of Ireland MU16 4-1 Scotland MU16
Wales MU16 0-2 Northern Ireland MU16
Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-16s Squad
Goalkeepers: Joe Collins (Bray Wanderers), Marcus Gill (Celtic)
Defenders: Luca Cailloce (Bohemians), Fiachra Coffey (Bohemians), Ivan Graminschii (Shelbourne), Kaylem Harnett (Wexford), Luke Mulligan (Dundalk), Taylor McCarthy (Bohemians), James Roche (Shamrock Rovers), Egor Vassenin (Klub Kildare)
Midfielders: Ronnie Gorman (Brighton & Hove Albion), Niall McAndrew (Derby County), Matthew Moore (Cork City), Sean Moore (Bohemians), Luke O’Donnell (Derry City), Richard Vodo (Shamrock Rovers)
Forwards: Afi Adebayo (Ipswich Town), Kyle Fitzgerald (Galway United), Darragh Marshall (Shamrock Rovers), Mason Melia (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Matthew Murray (Cork City), Ike Orazi (Shamrock Rovers)
