Victory Shield
Scotland 1-1 Ireland (Scotland win 4-3 on penalties)
Tuesday 8th October 2024
Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld
Dundalk FC’s TJ Molloy was on target to put Ireland Boys’ Under-16s in front against Scotland with nine minutes remaining but Oliver Goodbrand quickly equalised to send this Victory Shield clash in Cumbernauld to spot-kicks. On a day when the Lilywhites’ Seán Spaight captained his country, Scotland’s Kerr Reynolds saved the decisive penalty to condemn Ireland to their first defeat in the competition since 2021.
Paul Osam’s team were coming into the tournament having won the two previous editions of the competition and off the back of a solid 2-2 away draw in Belgium.
They started the brighter of the teams with the opening 15 minutes dominated by the visitors. Desmond Armstrong went closest when he almost capitalised on a loose pass-back which Armstrong latched onto but couldn’t quite convert.
Scotland came close just after the half-hour mark when an Alfie Hutchison free-kick was whipped into the box and Jack Dalziel’s header just flashed over the bar.
The hosts began to grow in the game and Max Cameron had a long-range attempt that just went over.
Dundalk FC’s Seán Spaight captaining Ireland U16s v Scotland U16s in the Victory Shield. The match was played in Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld, Scotland. Both photos by Gerry Scully.
In the second half, David Dunne threatened the Scottish goal which forced a good save from Reynolds.
Scotland stepped up a gear with Cameron having two great chances to give the home side the lead. But it would be Ireland who would break the deadlock. Substitute Molloy saw his steered header squeeze inside the post for 1-0.
The lead wouldn’t last long as Goodbrand scored an equaliser when he arrived at the back post to finish past Darragh Brunton.
With the game ending in a draw, it went to penalties. Molloy, Jason Spelman and Joe Byrne were successful for Ireland but Reynolds would be the hero as he made a save to win the shootout.
SCOTLAND: Reynolds, McSporran, Goodbrand (C), Dalziel, Hamill, Meechan, Hutchison, Daly, Di Giacomo, Cameron, Cadamarteri. Substitutes: Vickery, Thomson, Weir, Wilson, Hutton, Forrest, McLaughlin, Haye, Dow.
IRELAND: Brunton, Gabbidon (Prizeman 79), Dempsey, Spaight (C), Dumigan, Spelman, Sullivan (Molloy 63), Ferizaj (Collins 41), Byrne, Dunne, Armstrong (Ogungbe 71).
Ireland’s Victory Shield Fixtures
Thursday 10th October: Ireland v Wales, Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld, Scotland, kick-off 3.30pm.
Sunday 13th October: Northern Ireland v Ireland, Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld, Scotland, kick-off 11.30am.
Entry to the games are free of charge.
Report details from FAI.ie. Report also available on Scottishfa.co.uk.
