Ireland succumb to two Sweet strikes

England withstood Ireland’s late fightback to win this decisive Under-18 Centenary Shield tie at the AMEX Stadium in Brighton last night.

Behind by two goals at the break, the Irish cut the arrears 15 minutes from the end through Sean Maguire’s header but then saw two efforts come back off the woodwork.

Knowing only a win would regain the five-nation shield, Ireland began brightly and Pierce Sweeney brought the best out of goalkeeper Conor Sidley-James with a towering header on 16 minutes.