Edenderry student features for Ireland Schools team
Edenderry student Jonathan Adedeji featured for the Republic of Ireland U-18 Schools team who was defeated by England in Athlone last Friday night
A student at St. Mary’s Secondary School, Edenderry, Adedeji started the Centenary Shield game but it was England who ran out 3-1 winners at Athlone Town AFC
The visitors were lining out for the first time in the Centenary Shield campaign and made a bright start to proceedings which saw them one up inside 10 minutes when Jacob Towns slotted past Delaney.
The English lead was doubled seven minutes later when Luke Salter converted.
Brian Cunningham produced a fantastic run down the right wing and forced English keeper James Taylor into an excellent save on 21 minutes.
The Irish grabbed a lifeline just before the interval when team captain Peter Grogan walked through the English defence to dink the ball over the goalkeeper at the near post from an acute angle.
Unfortunately, Ireland’s comeback was shattered midway through the second half as Luke Salter netted his second and England’s third of the night.
John McShane’s side just couldn’t beat the English defence as Cunningham and Grogan had the best efforts late on.
The result leaves the Irish with one point from three games. They conclude this season’s Centenary Shield series in Belfast on Thursday evening as Northern Ireland play host at Blanchflower Park.
The Republic of Ireland will be hoping they can finish their campaign with a win while the North will hope to bounce back from a 3-1 loss away to Wales last week.
Republic of Ireland Schools: Ryan Delaney (St Francis College, Rochestown), Jonathan Adedeji (St Mary’s Secondary School, Edenderry), Jesse Dempsey (Wexford CBS), Eli Rooney (Summerhill College, Sligo), Niall Holohan (Carrick-on-Shannon CS), Arran Healy (Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig), Peter Grogan (captain, St Mary’s CBS, Carlow), Aidan Russell Vargas (Lusk Community College), Brian Cunningham (Presentation College, Headford), Stephen Mohan (Clonkeen College, Blackrock), Adam O’Halloran (Clarin College, Athenry). Subs: Rhys Kelly Noonan (Coláiste Muire, Crosshaven) for Russell Vargas (H-T), James Lukau (Merlin College, Galway) for Mohan (64), Callum Bonner (St Patrick’s CS, Navan) for A O’Halloran (88), Mark O’Halloran (Clarin College, Athenry) for Adedeji (88), Daithí Folan (Belvedere College, Dublin).
England: James Taylor, Harvey Smith, Tyrese Hughes, Jacob Towns, George Wilkinson, Laiith Fairnie (captain), Sam Johnston, Oscar Fletcher, Ollie Fraser, Like Salter, Rio Joisce. Subs: Jack Bostock for Hughes (65), Jay Sangha for Fletcher (77), Dominic Cupid for Fraser (86), Jasper Sheik, Benjamin Wodskou,