Rowan McGroarty named Player of the Match for Ireland Schoolboys

Rowan McGroarty was named Player of the Match as the Republic of Ireland Schoolboys defeated Scotland 2-1 in the SAFIB Centenary Shield at the Athlone Town Stadium on Thursday.

The Loreto Community School, Milford student put in a top-class performance as Ireland came from behind to win their second match in the competition.

The Finn Harps defender was joined in the starting 11 by his clubmate, Declan Patton, from St Columba’s College, Stranorlar.

Eamonn MacBride, also of St Columba’s, also started, with schoolmate Peter Sweeney coming off the bench. McBride and Sweeney are former Finn Harps players, but both recently transferred to Derry City.

Declan Patton, Eamonn MacBride and Peter Sweeney of St Columba's, Stranorlar

Archie Beaton gave the visitors the lead inside ten minutes, but an own goal got Ireland level before the break, which came from a cross from McGroarty.

And it was substitute Robert Keane of CBS The Green, Tralee, who poked home the vital goal eight minutes from time to make it 2-1.

Ireland won their opening game 4-0 against Northern Ireland, and their third and final game in the competition will be against Wales in Llandudno to fulfil the fixture cancelled on March 12 due to high winds. The game is scheduled for Thursday, April 23, which could possibly be a winner-takes-all tie.

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Rowan McGroarty named Player of the Match for Ireland Schoolboys

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