Three Donegal men start for Ireland in U-18 Boys’ Schools friendly

Three Donegal men started the Republic of Ireland against Australia in their U-18 Boys’ Schools international friendly at Home Farm FC.

Oisin Cooney from Carndonagh Community School kept goal, while Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana’s Darragh Coyle and James McAteer, a student of Loreto Community School, Milford, also lined up for the Boys in Green. A brace of first-half goals was enough to see Australia claim the win on a 2-1 scoreline. 

The Aussies made a lively start to proceedings as Christian Mladenis came close while  Noah Maieroni nearly snuck in at the far post with quarter of an hour played. It was all Australia as they drove forward at every opportunity. The breakthrough came 23 minutes in when Lachlan Middleton rattled the top corner with a smashing strike on target.

Their tally was doubled three minutes later when Noel Maieroni pounced with a delightful finish to slot past Cooney. There was a platter of substitutions during the interval and a resurged Irish side made better work in the second period. Robbie Lynch and namesake Evan were outstanding for Derek O’Brien’s charges.

Ireland netted midway through the half as super sub Calum Costello decisively following Hugh Parker’s initial effort. Rhys Kelly Noonan had a gilt-edged chance to equalise on 78 minutes but the ball skimmed past the far post.

With four minutes remaining, captain Daire Patton came agonisingly close to having his shot on target but it wasn’t to be.

The Republic of Ireland will now turn their attention to the SAFIB Centenary Shield series which will see Derek O’Brien’s side welcome Scotland to Athlone Town AFC on Thursday, February 29. A week later sees Northern Ireland make the short trip to Athlone on Thursday, March 7. The squad will then travel to Walsall FC to take on England on Friday, April 5 while the campaign will wrap up in Briton Ferry Llansawel FC as  Wales provide the entertainment on Thursday, April 18.

Republic Of Ireland Schools: Oisin Cooney (Carndonagh Community School), Darragh Coyle (Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana), Kyle McDonagh (St. Attracta’s Community School, Tubbercurry), Tom McLoughlin (Malahide Community School), Robbie Lynch (Hazelwood College, Dromcollogher), James McAteer (Loreto Community School, Milford),  Adam O’Halloran (Clarin College, Athenry), Daire Patton (Summerhill College, Sligo), Hugh Parker (Temple Carrig School, Greystones), Aidan Russell Vargas (Lusk Community College), Callum Doyle Travers (St. Fintan’s High School, Sutton). 

Subs used: Edvinas Jakas (Lucan Community College) for Cooney (half-time), Sean Mackey (Coláiste Chiarain, Leixlip) for Mcloughlin (Ht), Kyle Donoghue (Kildare Town Community School) For Doyle Travers (half-time), Rhys Kelly Noonan (Coláiste Mhuire, Crosshaven) for O’Halloran (half-time), Callum Honohan (Edmund Rice College, Carrigaline) for McAteer (half-time), Evan Lynch (Christian Brothers College, Cork) for Coyle (Ht), Calum Costello (Comeragh College, Carrick On Suir) for Russell Vargas (61).
Australia: Sebastian Arranz (Marist College), Lachlan Middleton (Nbsc Freshwater Senior Campus), Owen Henderson (The Hills Sports High School), Jordan Rezek (St. Mary Mackillop College), Reece Mcmanus (Hunter Sports High School), Noah Maieroni (Kelvin Grove State College), Jack Ellwood (Erindale College), Adrian Pini (Bossley Park High School), Luka Strabac (Bossley Park High School), Christian Mladenis (Kings Christian College), Archie McGregor (Erindale College)

Subs: Bodie Denton (Barker College) for Arranz (Ht), Tate Baldwin (Palm Beach Currumbin State High School) for Strabac (Ht), Jared Middleton (Nbsc Freshwater Senior Campus) for Pini (Ht), David Russell (Robina State High School) for McGregor (61), Oscar Myers (Palm Beach Currumbin State High School) for Rezek (68), Jacob Carre (Ballna Coast High School) for Mladenis (68), Samuel O'Connor (Freeman Catholic College, Green Valley) for Maieroni (82).