Mayo interest as Ireland scholars go in search of Centenary Shield title

The Republic of Ireland Schools will finish their 2026 SAFIB Centenary Shield campaign when they take on Wales tomorrow (Thursday, April 23) in Llandudno FC in the last of the six-match series.

What should have been Ireland’s first fixture this season was postponed due to high winds in Llandudno on March 12. Now, as things have transpired, it will be a winner-takes-all battle in the Welsh coastal town.

There's strong Mayo interest in the set-up, with Ballyhaunis Community School student Ross Ruane Dalton a member of an Irish squad that has Ballinrobe native Alan Murphy of St. Joseph's Patrician College, Galway, as head coach.

The Republic of Ireland opened their Centenary Shield account with a solid 4-0 victory over Northern Ireland in Athlone at the end of last month, with Ross Ruane Dalton among the scorers that day.

Alan Murphy’s side followed this up with a hard fought 2-1 win over Scotland in the same venue at the start of April.

Meanwhile, Wales have scored nine goals in two games with victories away to Scotland (5-2) and Northern Ireland (4-2), which leaves them in prime position alongside Alan Murphy’s crew.

Wales last won the SAFIB Centenary Shield in 2023, sharing the title with England, while they won the competition outright in 2022. Marc Llyod Williams will want his team to return to winning ways with victory in their final outing of the 2026 campaign.

One must go all the way back to 2018 when the Republic of Ireland last clinched the title, with William O’Connor (Balbriggan Community College) claiming the title in his debut season.