Controversial spot-kick decides Centenary Shield

9:02am Saturday 19th April 2008

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IRELAND SCHOOLBOYS won in controversial circumstances against their English counterparts at Sunderland's Stadium of Light last night to clinch the Centenary Shield tournament. A harshly-awarded first half penalty was enough to secure the three points Ireland required to end as group winners.

The competition, held as part of Durham County Schools FA's centenary celebrations, began in February and included schoolboy teams representing Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Influential captain Robert Creevy returned to the Ireland starting XI after missing the previous game through injury. And the boys in green were the better side in a lively first half. The best early chance, a cracking 20-yard strike from John Mulroy was tipped over by James Wannell in the England goal.

And Mulroy was the architect of the only goal when he was fortunate to be awarded a penalty as England right-back Ashley Ulph's sliding tackle was adjudged a foul by Chester-le-Street referee Mark Clattenburg. Mulroy took the spot kick himself, smashing it past the keeper's right hand to put the visitors in front.

England hit back with Sunderland- supporting Harry Hambleton twice going close, but the Irish rearguard held firm until the interval.

As the game moved into the closing stages England looked the stronger as they pressed for an equaliser with a 20-yard effort from skipper Matthew Bloor - superbly palmed over by O'Reilly - the best effort. At the final whistle the Irish boys celebrated a well-deserved victory.

England: Wannell, Ulph (Pickett 68), Smalling, Martin, Thorley, Bloor (capt), Hambleton, Siddons (Watson 59), Cole (Riley 45), Grice, Hawes (Webb 77). Subs (not used): Lewis, Duffy.

Ireland: O'Reilly, Houston, Knight, Creevey(capt), Clarke, Mulroy (Edwards 64), G Murphy, Kelly (Hand 45),Collopy, Barry (Mc- Menamin 81), Acheson. Subs (not used): McGinley, Webster, Hughes, Flynn, Cheevers.