Meath players feature in victory shield opener

Trim teenager Dominic Peppard started today for the Republic of Ireland U-16 team in a scoreless draw with Northern Ireland in the opening fixture in the Victory Shield in Newport, Wales, this afternoon.

Two other Meath players, Cian Lee from Trim and Cian Hughes from Ratoath were introduced as second-half substitutes.

It was new Head Coach Paul Osam's first game with the Irish side and he was pleased with the overall performance. 

James Jennings came closest to scoring the winner with an effort that struck the woodwork while Lee O'Connor was a constant threat to the Northern Ireland defence.

Kevin Healy had a chance to find the net early on but could not find the target. Irish keeper Brian Maher had his first save of note on the half hour to deny Northern Ireland a breakaway goal.

'As a first game with the group I can only be pleased with how we played. We produced some excellent passages of play and created several chances. On another day we could have won 3-0 but it wasn't to be,' said Osam.

Ireland will face hosts Wales on Tuesday and then meet Scotland on Thursday.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND - Brian Maher, Luke Nolan, Aaron Bolger, Aaron Connolly, Aaron McColgan, Dominic Peppard, James Jennings, Jordan Doherty, Kevin Healy, Lee O'Connor, Luke Nolan, Marcus Rowley. Subs - Thomas Caffrey for McColgan 55 mins; Cian Hughes for Rowley 60; Cian Lee for Nolan 70.

 

RESULT

Northern Ireland 0, Republic of Ireland 0.

FIXTURES

TUESDAY

Wales v Republic of Ireland, Dragon Park, Newport (4.00pm)

THURSDAY

Scotland v Republic of Ireland, Newport Stadium (12.00 noon)