NI U16S Begin Victory Shield Campaign

Release Date: 29/10/2014

Author: Edwin Ferris

THE Northern Ireland Under-16 team faces difficult opening games in the Sky Sports Victory Shield against Scotland at St Mirren Park on Friday night followed by a home fixture against England on Friday (7 November) at Stangmore Park, Dungannon, kick-off: 7.00pm.

Scotland are the current Victory Shield champions while England have won or shared the championship for the previous 10 years.

Under 16 Manager Stephen Robinson is well aware of the task facing his young squad on Friday night against Scotland:  "It is a challenging task to play the champions away in our opening game but we have prepared well for the job. 

“Scotland will be determined to hold onto the title and we know that they again have a very good side.  They defeated an excellent Polish team 2-0 while we gained a very creditable 1-1 draw with Poland at Kolobrezg, so I think that we can overcome them if we produce our best form," said Robinson.

For the first time in 37 years three players come from one school.  Liam McKenna, Christopher Gallagher and Matthew Lynch attend De La Salle College while Belfast Boys Model provides two players, Lucas Galashan and Tre Sterling.

Two years ago Northern Ireland produced an outstanding display to defeat Scotland 2-1 in Dumfries but that was the first success on Scottish soil since a 3-2 victory in Dundee in 1975.

After the game against England at Dungannon, Northern Ireland completes the Victory Shield campaign by hosting Wales at Ballymena on Thursday 20 November, kick-off: 6.00pm.

The Northern Ireland Schools’ Football Association is offering free entrance to any school or youth group wishing to attend the home games against England and Wales.  Any group wishing to gain free entrance should send their details by email to Edwin Ferris, NISFA Treasurer: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to obtain a group permit.