The Connaught squad for the FAI Schools Under 18 boys interprovincial tournament at the weekend.

Two Mayo players on Connaught squad for FAI schoolboys interprovincials

This Friday (December 3) will see 64 of the top players in Irish schools line out for the FAI Schools Under 18 boys interprovincial tournament, which will take place in the AUL Complex, Clonshaugh, Dublin.

The Connaught squad features two players from St. Gerald's College, Castlebar – Darragh Reilly and Aaron Heaney – while Alan Murphy (St. Joseph's College, Galway), a Ballinrobe native, is manager, assisted by Alex Lee (also of St. Joseph's College), with Kevin Murphy and Keith McTigue as coaches.

The interprovincial series will be the first step in the process of selecting the FAI Schools international 18-man squad, which will compete in the Centenary Shield competition.

The 2021/22 campaign will see the Republic of Ireland schools select entertain Scotland on St. Patrick’s Day in Home Farm FC, while they’re at home to Northern Ireland in Maginn Park, Buncrana, on March 31. The scholars will then travel to Eastleigh to take on England on April 8. The Boys in Green will finish their season away to Wales on April 21, when they visit Caernarfon.

With this in mind, all eyes will be on the interprovincial series to scout for the best talent on display within the network of post-primary schools. The three-day event will see a series of six matches played, with provinces awarded two points for a win and one point for a draw. The format leaves for an exciting finale in the Sunday morning outings.

Unfortunately, the 2020 interprovincial series was cancelled last November due to Covid-19, so the provinces will relish a return of this tournament at the weekend.

The action gets underway with 2019 winners Leinster facing Ulster at 4 p.m. and Munster taking on 2018 champions Connaught at 6.30 p.m.

In keeping with the long-standing tradition of maintaining the interest in the competition until the final matches on Sunday, the draw for Saturday’s and Sunday’s matches will be made following the games on Friday evening.

Following the tournament on Sunday evening, a training squad will be selected by the Irish schools’ management team, with their first session scheduled after Christmas.

The Connaught squad in full is: Kieran McDonagh (Presentation College, Headford), Michael Lavin (Coláiste Muire, Ballymote), Ryan Nolan (Holy Rosary College, Mountbellew), Darragh Reilly, Aaron Heaney (St. Gerald’s College, Castlebar), Niall Holohan (Carrick-on-Shannon Community School), Eanna Clancy (St. Clare’s Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton), Mark O'Halloran, Adam O’Halloran (Clarin College, Athenry), Steven Healy, James Murphy (Calasanctius College, Oranmore), David Tarmey, Mikey McCullagh, Gerard Ó Riordain (Coláiste Bhaile Chláir, Co. na Gaillimhe), Churchill Idemudia (St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway), James Lukau (Merlin College, Galway). Management: Alan Murphy (St. Joseph’s College, Galway), Alex Lee (St. Joseph’s College, Galway), Kevin Murphy (coach), Keith McTigue (coach).