Celtic Cup: Ireland beat Wales

Wales 1 Republic of Ireland 3

Jones 19' McKenna 34'

Walsh 40'

Nolan 57'

The Irish Schools opened the defense of their Celtic Cup title with a 3-1 win over Wales schools at Aberdare.

In a game that lacked the passion of last week's encounter with England, the Irish struggled to find their form and fell behind to a Welsh free kick on 19 minutes. Owain Jones fired his shot through the Irish wall and under goalkeeper Paul Durcan.

The Welsh were dominating the game and went close on a number of occasions before the Irish got an unlikely equalizer. An Alan McCormack free kick was not dealt with by the defense and Barry McKenna got a head on the ball at the back post and planted it past the keeper.

A fine move from Vincent Tyrrell brought Ireland's second five minutes before half time. The Irish right back went past two players and spotted Kevin Walsh in space. Walsh took the ball first time and planted a fine left footer beyond the keeper from twenty yards.

The Irish wrapped up the game on 57' when Lorcan Cronin played the ball through the two centre halves for Jamie Nolan, who held his nerve to slip the ball under the advancing goalkeeper.

Ireland now play Northern Ireland on Friday next in Monaghan in the Celtic Cup decider.