• Daniel Reynolds Daniel Reynolds
• Ryan Strain Ryan Strain
• Thomas Roscoe Thomas Roscoe
• Eoin Toal Eoin Toal
• Matthew Kirk Matthew Kirk
• Niall Owens Niall Owens
• Bobby Burns Bobby Burns
• Jack O'Mahoney Jack O'Mahoney
• Andrew Scott Andrew Scott
• Eamon Scannell Eamon Scannell
• Christopher Crane Christopher Crane
• Conal Young Conal Young
• Aaron Donnelly Aaron Donnelly
• Caolin Coyle Caolin Coyle
• Conor Larkin Conor Larkin
• Fra Nolan Fra Nolan
•  

DANSKE BANK CONTINUES SUPPORT OF LOCAL SPORT WITH EXTENSION OF NISFA SPONSORSHIP

The Northern Ireland Schools Football Association (NISFA) has today announced an extension to its partnership with Danske Bank for this year’s Northern Ireland U18 Schools Cup.

The Danske Bank U18 Schools Cup is the largest schools competition in the country with 72 schools entering the competition this year.

NISFA Chairman, Paul Kerr, commented: “We are delighted to have Danske Bank agree to sponsor one of our competitions.  This year, we have changed the structure of the NI Schools Cup.  The Northern Ireland U18 cup is our biggest competition and we feel it should be on par with the other school’s finals on St. Patrick’s day.

“NISFA would like to thank Danske Bank for its continued support to schools football and we feel it is a partnership that can grow in years to come.  This year we have organised the U16 and U18 schools competitions so that both finals will take place on St. Patrick’s Day at the same venue. The U18 final will kick off in the morning and the U16 final takes place in the afternoon.

“We would also like to thank the BDSSA who kindly agreed to give up their St. Patricks Day U16 final to accommodate all the major sports in the country having their schools final on the same day the 17th of March.”

Mr Kerr also thanked the schools entering the competition, the teachers who freely gave up their time to coach the players, the parents who support and encourage their children and most importantly the boys who put in all the hard hours of training.

“This is a great opportunity for the schools to play at an Irish league ground in front of thousands of their supporters and peers and I would like to thank everyone who has come to cheer on their boys at this festival of football,” he added.

Ian Russell, Danske Bank Regional Manager commented: “At Danske Bank our youth partnerships are very important to us; from our support of this competition to our support of schools’ rugby and GAA we are committed to the development of young sporting talent across Northern Ireland. 

“And we are very proud of our association with NISFA; a look at the current Northern Ireland squad gives a clear indication of how boys have come through schools’ football, using it as a stepping stone to move into a professional playing career.

“We are also committed to supporting young people off the sports field and many of our staff visit schools regularly to deliver financial literacy modules through our SMART Partnership programme.”

"I am sad not to be managing a Northern Ireland squad any longer as I have enjoyed it immensely and am a proud Norn Iron man. Frankie (Wilson) and I have been in position for 3 years and its been fantastic, its been a pleasure working with Frankie and so many talented young players, I will still be involved from afar but am leaving a top class group of staff in Frankie Wilson, Brian Donaghey, Eamon Curry and Bob Ramsey as well as an excellent support system from the NISFA Officers. 

The chance to work at Oldham Athletic at such a high level and in an exciting role (Head of First Team Analysis) was too good to turn down.

 I would like to thank all those who have helped me, in my various roles over the last 6 years working with the different Northern Ireland squads. I have taken immense pride in working on over 90 internationals for my country, with many of those as manager, its such a great honour and I will look back on it with great pride. 

 Perhaps in the future i will be more involved again. Michael (O'Neill) knows I will help where/when I can so no doubt I will still do some work on monitoring players and the like, whilst based in England now.' 

Northern Ireland 1 – 1 Australia

Schoolboys

Monday 23^rd January

Seaview 3pm Ko 

The Northern Ireland under 18 schoolboys began the year with a draw and a strong performance against Australia schools.  The NI squad have only been assembled in the last few months however looked confident and assured in a positive performance against high calibre opposition.  Northern Ireland controlled the early possession and were the first to threaten when Jack O’Mahoney found space on the right only to put his shot wide of the goal. The next chance for NI came shortly after when a well worked free kick found man of the match Niall Owens whose goal bound effort was blocked by a defender.

Northern Ireland continued to control the possession in the first half and were nearly gifted the lead when the Australian keepers poor clearance found Bobby Burns who with no hesitation struck a first time effort from 30 yards just wide of the goal.  The first goal of the game came against the run of play when Australia gained good position working their way into the Northern Ireland half and smashing a low shot into the corner of the Northern Ireland goal giving goalkeeper Declan Dunne no chance. The Northern Ireland team regrouped well after the set back and continued to be the stronger into half time with Eamon Scannell and Caolin Coyle both having efforts saved by the Australian keeper.

Half time Northern Ireland 0-1 Australia

The second half of the game started as bright as the first with Northern Ireland controlling possession.  Niall Owens had an early chance when he cut in from the right only to see his effort saved by the keeper.  The NI equaliser came shortly after the break with a harsh penalty decision for handball as Australia tried to clear the ball from their area.  Eamonn Scannell stepped up and made no mistake sending the keeper the wrong way and placing the ball into the bottom left corner.  Scannell was involved again shortly after progressing well down the left wing and driving a ball across the face of goal however Bobby Burns couldn’t convert. 

As the game went on both teams had chances to win it firstly Declan Dunne made a good save at the near post while substitute Andrew Scott caused the Australian defence trouble driving to the by line but couldn’t find a team mate in the box.  Both teams substitutes made a difference to the game and it was Northern Irelands Daniel Reynolds who had the two best chances at the end of the game firstly having a shot at the near post saved and then driving an effort over the bar after good work from Owens. Australia had the final chance of the game with an effort saved and gathered at the second attempt by substitute goalkeeper Conor Larkin.

Northern Ireland 1-1 Australia

Northern Ireland Team : Declan Dunne, Eamon Scannell, Caolan Coyle, Eoin Toal, Aaron Donnelly, Niall Owens, Thomas Roscoe, Matthew Kirk, Bobby Burns, Ryan Strain, Jack O’Mahoney

Subs : Conor Larkin, Christopher Crane, Andrew Scott, Jack Henderson, Fra Nolan, Daniel Reynolds, Conall Young,