No joy for for Donegal trio as England claim victory over Ireland schoolboys

Oisin Cooney, Darragh Coyle and James McAteer were all involved as the Republic of Ireland Schools suffered a disappointing defeat to hosts England in Walsall FC on Friday night. 

A Jude Entwhistle hat-trick followed up by a fourth courtesy of Ollie Spicer dashed Ireland’s chances of a late surge in the series.

Ollie Horgan, St Eunan’s College, is part of the team’s coaching staff as is Oisin McMenamin, St Columba’s College, Stranorlar. 

The Republic of Ireland have managed just one point from their three fixtures having drawn against Scotland (1-1) in the opening game while suffering a defeat to Northern Ireland (1-2) in a closely contested encounter in Athlone. 

England’s victory sees the Republic of Ireland slump down the league table alongside Scotland, with both teams on one point each.

Meanwhile, England will entertain Scotland next Friday (April 12) while the following week, the Republic of Ireland travel to take on Wales in the final game of the ten-match series on April 18. Marc Williams will be hoping his Welsh side can take all six points on offer and cause an upset late on in the campaign.

Ireland Schools Select: Óisín Cooney (Carndonagh Community School); Connor Cannon (Rice College, Westport) Kyle McDonagh (St. Attracta’s Community School, Tubbercurry), Callum Honohan © (Edmund Rice College, Carrigaline), Evan Lynch (Christian Brothers College, Cork), Daire Patton (Summerhill College, Sligo), Hugh Parker (Temple Carrig School, Greystones), Kyle Donoghue (Kildare Town Community School), Darragh Coyle (Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana), Callum Doyle Travers (St. Fintan’s High School, Sutton), Aidan Russell Vargas (Lusk Community College)

Subs Used: Calum Costello (Comeragh College, Carrick On Suir) for Doyle Travers (Ht), Tom Mcloughlin (Malahide Community School) for Russell Vargas (Ht), Adam O’halloran (Claron College, Athenry) for Parker (55) James McAteer (Loreto Community School, Milford) for Coyle (73), Jack  Ahern (Ardscoil Na Mara, Tramore) for Lynch (79)

Management:  Derek O’Brien, Head Coach (Ardscoil Na Mara, Tramore), Alan Murphy, Coach (St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway) Ollie Horgan, Coach (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), John Power, Gk Coach, Óisín Mcmenamin, Equipment Manager (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar), Seamus McWalters (Physio), Dr. Aidan O’Xolmain (Team Doctor)