Northern Ireland’s U16s registered a comfortable 2-0 victory against Estonia’s U16s in the first of two challenge matches against the Estonians this week.

Gerard Lyttle’s team began strongly in the game at Knockbreda, with Charlie Lindsay in particular causing problems for the visitors with his pace down the right wing.  

Estonian keeper Kaupo Kruusmäe initially kept the U16 Schoolboys at bay, producing good saves to deny Harry Wilson and Jamie McDonnell. 

But his resistance crumbled on 27 minutes as Lindsay carved open the Estonian defence and his low cross was tapped in by Brodie Spencer from close range to put Northern Ireland one up.

Seven minutes later Northern Ireland captain Jamie McDonnell doubled the lead with a wonderful strike. The talented midfielder picked the ball up 25 yards from goal and fired an unstoppable shot past Kruusmäe into the roof of the net.

On the stroke of half-time Estonia missed a great chance to reduce the deficit when Gregor Lehtmets was brought down inside the box. The striker took the spot kick himself but Billy McDowell produced a great save low to his left to keep the ball out.

After the break Northern Ireland continued to press but it was Estonia who came closest to scoring when Romet Kaupmees broke through but his shot was cleared off the line by Michael Forbes.

In the closing stages Kruusmäe produced another outstanding save to keep out a fierce drive from Elliott Wood.

The two games against Estonia are kick-starting preparations for the Victory Shield in November when the Northern Ireland U16 Schoolboys will be looking to retain the trophy.

The teams meet again at Stangmore Park in Dungannon tomorrow (21 August). Kick-off time is 7 pm.

Northern Ireland U16s: Billy McDowell, Jake Wallace, Bobby Deane (replaced by Lewis Tosh 52’), Michael Forbes, Josh Roney (Ruairi McConville 61’), Harry Wilson, Conor Scannell (Elliott Wood 52’), Jamie McDonnell (captain), Brodie Spencer, Charlie Lindsay (Ethan Sousa 61’), Cameron Crook (Callan Devlin 52’).

Substitutes: (not used) Matthew Williamson, Callum Marshall.

The Alan McKinstry Cup was held in Belfast on the 22nd -24th May.  The British Isles competition included teams from England, Scotland, Wales, Republic of Ireland and hosts Northern Ireland. One of the two NI teams Aquinas Grammar had a good 2-1 win over Welsh side Bishopston and Boclair claimed a 3-2 win over Henry Cort to top the table after day 1 of the Allen McKinstry.  St Columb's and Patrician battled a cagey 0-0 draw which the Derry lads won the bonus point with a 4-2 penalty win. 

In the second round of games a fine win by Aquinas Grammar School over Boclair and a 3-1 victory by St Columb's over Henry Cort secured both final places for the two teams from Northern Ireland.

St Columb's emerged as clear victors in the Allen McKinstry final this morning at the Billy Neill Soccer Centre.  They defeated a game Aquinas Grammar team 3-1 in the all Northern Ireland final.  Elsewhere, Boclair beat Bishopston 5-4 and Henry Cort fought back from a 7 minute three goal deficit to level right at the final whistle. 

Padraig Slane inspired St Malachy’s College to a 3-1 win over 10-man De La Salle in today’s Danske Bank NISFA Schools' Cup final in Belfast.

Slane weighed in with a goal and an assist as his team scored twice in extra-time to get their hands on the trophy at Seaview.

Paul Scullion put St Malachy’s in front on 36 minutes, guiding home Slane’s cross to find the net.  De La Salle’s response came courtesy of Conal McDonald who fired home to level matters on the stroke of half-time.

With St Malachy’s strengthening their grip on the showpiece during the second session, De La Salle were left with an uphill task when Ronan Hamill was sent for an early bath following a straight red card for a foul on Mark Donnelly. 

The 10 men of De La Salle galvanised to create chances through Donal McCullough late in regulation time and skipper Calvin McCurry went close with a header in the first period of extra-time. 

But St Malachy’s stepped it up a gear and put the game to bed in the second period of extra-time when Slane capitalised on a defensive error to edge his side in front before Scullion put the icing on the cake to make it 3-1 with his second of the afternoon.   

Earlier this morning Our Lady and St Patrick’s College Knock won the Belfast Schools’ Cup defeating Belfast Boys’ Model 5-4 on penalties after the scores were level at 1-1.