Luke makes the cut

IRELAND head coach William O'Connor has included Balla Secondary School student Luke McNicholas in his 18-strong Centenary Shield panel.

The Irish Schools Under 18 boys commence their Centenary Shield campaign on February 15 and play their final game on April 12.

The initial trial process commenced in November when FAI Schools hosted the annual interprovincial tournament, which saw 64 top class scholars compete in a three-day competition. An ensuing comprehensive training schedule saw approximately 40 players observed over an eight-day assessment period.

Three of the 18 players selected have already been capped for the Republic of Ireland Schools in the Centenary Shield in 2017, including Ronan Manning of Yeats College (and formerly of Calasanctius College, Oranmore).

Other Connaught players to make the cut with Manning and McNicholas this time are Sligo native Liam Kerrigan, a pupil at St. Attracta’s Community School, Tubbercurry, and Adam Rooney, Yeats College, Galway.

Ireland's first two fixtures will be away from home. They commence battle on February 15 at The Rock, home of Cefn Druids, against Wales, and follow that up against England at Luton Town's Kenilworth Stadium on March 16.

The final two games will be played at home, the first against Northern Ireland on March 29 at Monaghan United FC and the second against Scotland at Home Farm FC, Dublin, on April 12.