Ireland keep Centenary Schools Shield hopes alive

IRELAND remain in the mix to land the five-team U18 Centenary Schools Shield following last night’s draw against Scotland at the Waterford RSC.

Danny Morrissey was denied by the legs of Scottish goalkeeper Kieran Hughes on 39 minutes after Sean Maguire slipped the Cork City forward through on goal. But the pair combined again in the final minute of the half for the opener. Morrissey’s left-wing cross found Maguire with his back to goal and he turned his marker before sending a rising shot inside Hughes’ near post.

It took just over a minute of the second-half for the Scots to equalise, as Lawrence Shankland beat Evan Comerford with a low drive.

It may be a tall order, but victory in their final two games of the campaign against Wales (April 12) and England (April 16), both away, will see Ireland regain the shield.

IRELAND: E. Comerford (CBS, Clonmel); C. Horgan (Coláiste Einde), R. Matthews (Clonkeen College, Blackrock), J. O’Brien (Yeats College, Galway), A. O’Donnell (Carrigaline CS); D. Morrissey (Midleton CBS), P. Moffatt (Clonkeen, Blackrock), B. Lenihan (Presentation, Cork), Timmy Molloy (Coláiste Iognaid, Galway); B. Sheedy (Coláiste Iosaef, Kilmallock), S. Magure (CBS Kilkenny).

Subs: J. Doherty (Comeragh College) for Sheedy (h/t), J. Kavanagh (Glanmire CS) for Moffatt (67 mins), R. Lehane (Douglas CS) for Molloy (80).

SCOTLAND: K. Hughes; R. McGeachie, M. Craig, R. McGeever, A. Lawson; C. McVey, M. Cooper, S, Ferries. S. Forbes; K. Anderson-Ballantyne, L. Shankland.

Sub: S. Close for McGeachie (72).

Referee: Noel Purcell (Waterford).