Release Date: 25/03/2015

Northern Ireland Under 18 Managers Conor Marlin and Frankie Wilson have had to make two changes to their squad for the Inspiresport Centenary Shield international against Scotland at Comber on Friday, kick off 4.45 pm. Forwards Adam Salley and Andrew Mooney have been called up for the Northern Ireland Under 19 team to pay The Netherlands.

• Northern Ireland U18 Schools Squad line out Northern Ireland U18 Schools Squad line out
• Captain Ben Doherty Captain Ben Doherty
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Paul Smyth and Ronan Hale have been called into the Under 18 squad.  Smyth is the first boy from St Louise's Comprehensive School to gain international representative honours while Hale is the brother of Rory Hale, who was capped at Under 16 level three years ago, and is the grandson of former Crusaders striker Danny Hale.

Joint Northern Ireland manager Frankie Wilson shared his views on the upcoming fixture: “Losing Salley and Mooney is a big blow to our Centenary Shield challenge but we welcome their selection for the Under 19 team and wish them well.  We are delighted that we have played a small part in the development of two exceptional young footballers.  It will also provide an opportunity for the other players in the squad to show their ability. Smyth is a talented performer who has merited his inclusion in the squad with some impressive displays recently.  Hale is still only sixteen and will be available again next year.  The experience gained at this level will serve him well in his development at international level."

Fellow joint Northern Ireland Manager Conor Marlin commented on his squad’s start to the competition and stated: “We have made a solid start but it could have been so much better.  A point away to England with a 2-2 draw  was a very creditable performance but really it should have been 3 points as we dominated the match. Losing 3-2 to the Republic of Ireland was a cruel blow.  Everyone agrees that we were the better side but things did not go our way.  However, this is a very close competition with very little between the teams.  Scotland has made a good start with a 2-0 win in Wales but we can get our campaign back on track with a victory on Friday."

Comber Rec Football Club has promoted the game extensively in the area and a large crowd is expected.  The Northern Ireland Schools’ Football Association is offering free entrance to any school or youth group wishing to attend the home game against Scotland.  Any group wishing to gain free entrance should send their details by email to Edwin Ferris, NISFA Treasurer, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to obtain a group permit.

Release Date: 13/03/2015

Northern Ireland players and management prepare for their second game of this year’s Inspiresport Centenary Shield when they encounter the Republic of Ireland on St. Patricks Day (17/03/15) at Ferney Park, Ballinamallard FC kicking off at 5.00pm.

• Conor Marlin Conor Marlin
• Frankie Wilson Frankie Wilson
• Lydon Kane Lydon Kane
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Northern Ireland began the campaign with a strong team performance and earned a crucial point following a 2-2 draw against England away from home. The Northern Ireland squad were however unlucky not to come away with all three points against England giving the numerous chances in which they created. The team will hope to build upon their impressive run and progress further by earning their first victory of the competition when they take on the Republic of Ireland.

Joint Northern Ireland manager Frankie Wilson shared his views on the upcoming fixture: “It will be a game that the boys will remember for the rest of their career, as games against the Republic are few and far between. I will never forget the game last year in Sligo and winning it in the last minute was a sweet feeling. The Republic staff will be reminding their boys about that from last season so I know it will be a competitive game as always.”

Frankie Wilson continued: “We have watched the Republic a few times and they are littered with good experienced FAI players. Their centre midfielders are particularly strong and creative. We are coming of the back of a good draw in England, so this game is setup for a close encounter. Conor and I have looked at the video of our game in Eastleigh and we feel that we could improve in certain areas. We have quality and experience all over the park and I know we will need to call on this experience on Tuesday.

Fellow joint Northern Ireland Manager Conor Marlin commented on his squad’s start to the competition and stated: “We have made a solid start with a point away to England. Really it should have been 3 points, the pleasing thing was the performance and our shape. Taking the 2 goals out, we restricted England to not having a shot on target, which is some going away to England. On the other side we hit the bar and had a couple of chances blocked on the line. The boys will take confidence from that performance but know the minimum requirement will be the same again, with the reality being we need to up it another level again to get the result we want against the Republic. The Ballinamallard pitch is a great surface and it will hopefully lend itself to a good game.”

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

Northern Ireland U18 Squad v Republic of Ireland

Release Date: 02/03/2015

NORTHERN Ireland Schools Under 18 Managers Conor Marlin and Frankie Wilson have named a squad of 18 players for their opening game in the Inspiresport Centenary Shield against England at Eastleigh FC on Friday 6 March, kick-off 7.00pm.

There is a wealth of experience in the squad, as six players including Coleraine centre back Lyndon Kane all played for last year's Under 18 team which finished as runners up in the Centenary Shield, while several other players have been capped at Under 17 level.  That experience will be vital against a strong England side which will be determined to retain the Centenary Shield.

Frankie Wilson shared his views on the upcoming fixture and stated “I am really looking forward to the game, especially after last year’s narrow defeat in the Centenary Shield. Once again we will start as massive underdogs in this David and Goliath battle but we are excited to embrace the challenge. Conor and I have worked tirelessly to accumulate a squad since early October and we feel we can cope with the demands of the competition.”

Conor Marlin commented “This is a tough start to our Centenary Shield campaign. England were worthy winners last year and it is up to us to try and beat the favourites. We have some excellent players, some of which have already gained senior Irish League experience. It was a difficult job to try and whittle the squad to just 18 players but I know the boys selected are eager and ready for the battle against the English. Success in the opening games would help us greatly in our quest to regain the championship.”

Northern Ireland U18 Schoolboys have an excellent record on English soil.  In eight meetings between the sides, the English have only been successful twice.  Two years ago the game ended in a 1-1 draw in Plymouth while before that, Northern Ireland came out on top 2-0 at Telford and 1-0 at Macclesfield.

Northern Ireland also have an impressive record in the Centenary Shield, winning it four times outright (1996, 1998, 1999, 2013) and sharing another three titles (2005, 2009, 2011).

Following the game at Eastleigh, Northern Ireland will host the Republic of Ireland at Ferney Park Ballinamallard on St Patrick's Day, kick off 5.00 pm.

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

Release Date: 29/01/2015

Northern Ireland players and management are preparing for an intense encounter away from home as they meet Guernsey at the Northfield Stadium on Monday 2nd February and Jersey at the Les Quennevais Sports Centre on Wednesday 4th February, both kicking off at 7.00pm.

• Conor Marlin and Frankie Wilson Conor Marlin and Frankie Wilson
• Northern Ireland's Andrew Hoey evades England's Kieran Dowell Northern Ireland's Andrew Hoey evades England's Kieran Dowell
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Northern Ireland are no strangers to the Guernsey and Jersey squads, as they defeated both teams in their last meeting in 2014.

Joint Northern Ireland Manager Frankie Wilson has named a squad of 18 players for the game, including Adam Salley, Andrew Hoey, Cameron Stewart and Mark Skyes, all of whom travelled to the Channel Islands last year and are mindful of the challenge ahead.

Frankie Wilson shared his views on the current provisional squad;

“Over the last 3 months in Meadowbank, Magherfelt, there has been an intense trail process for the NI U18 Schoolboys squad.

“It was a great opportunity to view the range of talent across Northern Ireland but it also proved to be a difficult decision when narrowing around 60 players to a squad of just 18.

“Conor and I however thought long and hard about the decision and are happy with our selection.”

Frankie continued;

“The trip to the Channel Islands is a big opportunity for the squad to understand what is required to play at an international level.

“It is also an opportunity for the players to experience the lifestyle of a professional footballer.

Fellow joint Northern Ireland Manager Conor Marlin explained the high importance of the fixtures by stating;

“The trip in itself will be a crucial part of this squad’s development.

“It is a chance for the squad to get to know one another and create a unique team-bond.

“There are a range of clubs across Northern Ireland being represented including Cliftonville, Crusaders, Linfield and Armagh City, for example.

“Frankie and I hope for a solid team performance and hopefully come away with victory.”

For further information on the fixtures contact Niall O’Neill (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)