Leinster victorious in under-18 schoolboys' interprovincial tournament

Ian Ryan continued his successful transition from player to manager as he guided his Leinster side to victory in the under-18s schoolboys' interprovincial tournament held at the AUL last weekend.

The former UCD and Dundalk full back won the under-19s National League with the Belfield outfit last season before taking over the reins from Albert Suggs as the Leinster manager.

Flanked by Davy Cullen (also in his maiden season) and five season veteran Fintan Sheridan on his coaching ticket, the panel was shuffled before the weekend with three late withdrawals including Bohemians title winning duo and Irish underage internationals Seán Bohan and Mitch Byrne along with Padraig Finnerty all missing out.

Waterford’s Noel Heffernan and Shelbourne’s Luke Ring were called up as replacements while Finnerty stayed with the squad in a non-playing capacity.

In their opening game against Munster, the Leinster side raced into a four goal lead with strikes from UCD midfielder Jack Ryan (who also scored in Europe for the Students this season), Shelbourne’s Ali Reghba, a penalty from Jake Walker (St Patrick’s Athletic) and Lido Lotefa of Bohemians.

Waterford’s prolific front man Colm Whelan and Shelbourne left back Peter Adigan were others to shine in a dominant display.

Game number two saw a number of changes for both Leinster and their opponents Connacht.

Competition rules during the weekend dictated that every member of the panel must start at least one game as the tournament doubled up as an opportunity for the Irish management team to select a squad for the upcoming Centenary Shield competition which is to commence in early spring.

A panel is to be selected on November 25^th which will take part in a Leinster v Rest of Ireland game at Abbottstown.

The second game finished goalless, though Connacht may feel aggrieved not have been on the more favourable end of some refereeing decisions with Galway United’s Harry Rogers proving a handful for the Leinster defence. His opposite number nine, Walker, had a number of efforts well saved by Connacht netminder Cian Mulryan.

The final game, held on Sunday afternoon saw a riproaring draw between Ulster and Leinster. Leinster took the initiative and opened the scoring through Whelan – the striker finishing off a good team move – before Ulster equalised after a left-wing passage of play was converted by Michael Gallagher.

The same player put Ulster ahead shortly after half time, however their lead was pegged back when Walker neatly converted a rebound from his own penalty kick on 55 minutes.

Despite an impressive showing from Connor O’Reilly, Aaron Mulligan and Finn Harps’ Corrie Lee Bogan, the Ulstermen couldn’t find a winner and it was left to Leinster captain, midfielder Dylan ‘Bouncer’ Thornton to collect the trophy at the end of a successful weekend.

In addition to the onfield activities, Saturday morning saw presentations from speakers including FAI Schools’ Mark Scanlon and UCD’s Daire O’Connor who acknowledged the importance of an education alongside a sporting career, while a range od third level institutions were also present to showcase a range of sports based education programmes which they offer.

Further information about the weekend, including reports from the other games and the four interprovincial panels involved, can be found on www.faischools.ie and the FAI Schools Twitter account @faischools