Welsh net late winner against Irish at Ferrycarrig

Republic of Ireland 3-4 Wales

Brian Cunningham (4), Peter Grogan (52), Eli Rooney (66)                Joseff Haig (12p, 42p), Joshua Gibson (56),                                                                                                                                                                      Kian Hughes (90)

The reigning Centenary Shield Champions went away from Ferrycarrig Park last night with full points following a late winner from Welsh substitute Kian Hughes in a seven-goal thriller in the Wexford venue.

The conditions were far from perfect as the wind and rain belted the players for much of the first forty-five.

Brian CUNNINGHAM got the Irish off to the perfect start with a goal inside the first four minutes. Captain Senan Mullen (St. Aidan’s CS, Cootehill) played a long ball upfront for Stephen Mohan (Clonkeen College) to run onto. A mix up in the Welsh defense saw the Presentation College, Headford pupil nip in between attacker and defender to poke home.

The lead was short lived as Joseff HAIG netted a brace of penalties on 12 and 42 minutes to take a 2-1 lead at the interval.

The sides were level once again seven minutes into the restart as St. Mary’s CBS student Peter GROGAN got onto the end of a Ryan McBrearty corner as the young Carlow man volleyed neatly at the near post 2-2.

The Welsh extended their lead four minutes later when Joshua GIBSON popped up to make it 3-2.

Eli ROONEY of Summerhill College, Sligo headed home a Ryan McBrearty corner to make it three apiece with 66 minutes on the clock.

Substitute Aidan Russell Vargas (Lusk Community College) thought he got the match-winner three minutes from time, but the goal was disallowed for off-side.

The drama was to continue as sub-Kian HUGHES slotted past Delaney in the 90th minute to extend their advantage yet again, 4-3.

The Welsh also missed a sitter late on as the final whistle was blown much to the disappointment of the home side. 

The Irish scholars will rue their chances as they were held to a goalless draw away to Scotland in the opening game of the series and now slumped to a narrow defeat in their second outing.

Next up for the Irish is the visit of England to Athlone Town AFC on Friday, March 24 where they will be hoping to bounce back for their penultimate game.

The Republic will conclude their 2023 series when they take on Northern Ireland in Belfast on Thursday, March 30.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS | Ryan DELANEY (St. Francis College, Rochestown), Jonathan ADEDEJI (St. Mary’s Secondary School, Edenderry), Jesse DEMPSEY (Wexford CBS), Eli ROONEY (Summerhill College, Sligo), Niall HOLAHAN (Carrick on Shannon Community School), Senan MULLEN © (St. Aidan’s Comprehensive School, Cootehill), Arran HEALY (Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig), Peter GROGAN (St. Mary’s CBS, Carlow), Brian CUNNINGHAM (Presentation College, Headford), Stephen MOHAN (Clonkeen College, Blackrock), Ryan McBREARTY (St. Mary’s Diocesan School, Drogheda),

SUBS USED | Aidan RUSSELL VARGAS (Lusk Community College) for Mohan (69), Adam O’HALLORAN (Clarin College, Athenry) for McBrearty (83)

SUBS NOT USED | Ronan MANSFIELD (Blackwater Community School, Lismore) Daithí FOLAN (Belvedere College, Dublin), Callum BONNER (St. Patrick’s Classical School, Navan)

MANAGEMENT | John McSHANE, Head Coach (Loreto Secondary School, Bray), 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)

WALES | Lucas Cavalcante, Conor McNamara, Iwan Batcap, Cai Evans, Luca Hogan, Fabrizio Murtas, Joseff Haig, Joshua Gibson, Lucas Davies, Luke Davies ©, Eduardo Bregua. SUBS USED | Levi Morgan for Murtas (54), Tye Duggan for Haig (72), Kian Hughes for Bregua (72), Pritchard for Gibson (72), Aled Willan for Batcap (90+2) SUBS NOT USED | Harry Webber

MANAGEMENT | Marc Lloyd Williams, Jonathan Carcia, Andrew Thomas, Martyn Bowles, James Devonald

2023 SAFIB hummel Centenary Shield Results & Fixtures

RESULTS

Thursday, February 23    Scotland 0-0 Republic of Ireland                 Renfrew FC

Thursday, March 2           Northern Ireland 1-1 Scotland                        Blanchflower Park

Thursday, March 9          Republic of Ireland 3-4 Wales                         Ferrycarrig Park, Wexford

FIXTURES

Thursday, March 23         Wales vs Northern Ireland                             Britton Ferry FC

Friday, March 24              Republic of Ireland vs England                     Athlone Town AFC

Thursday, March 30        Northern Ireland vs Republic of Ireland   Blanchflower Park

Friday, March 31               Scotland vs England                                         Broadwood Stadium

Thursday, April 13            Wales vs Scotland                                             Colwyn Bay FC

Friday, April 14                  England vs Northern Ireland                         Billericay Town FC

Friday, April 28                  England vs Wales                                             Hednesford Town FC

All games kick off at 7pm