Republic of Ireland came from behind to claim a hard-fought victory over a talented Australian side in Home Farm FC on Saturday afternoon. 

It was a scoreless opening 45 minutes with Australia enjoying the better possession during this period. 

The visitors missed a penalty five minutes from the break with Coola Post Primary School star Kyle Gabbidon getting down well to deny Hamza Bangash’s strike from the spot. An incredible save from the young Sligo netminder. 

Summerhill College grad Callum Lynch had a peach of a set piece moments before that with the ball floating over the crossbar. That was Ireland’s best opportunity of the match as the teams went into the break goalless. 

Harrison Farrown gave Australia the break they needed eight minutes into the restart with an impressive goal.

However, their lead was short lived as Callum Lynch had the sides level two minutes later with a rocket of a free kick.  

The Sligo starlet, Lynch grabbed his second of the afternoon on 68 minutes with another smart finish to give Ireland a 2-1 lead. 

Ireland added a third courtesy of a deflected shot from Merlin College student Jack Sweeney with thirteen minutes remaining. 

Sweeney could have netted a second in injury time, but the ball was drilled across goal.  

Australia was always a threat going forward but Ireland’s Captain Alain Kizenga (St. Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue) had his troops well marshalled. All the Irish lads put in a solid performance overall. 

A positive start to Ireland’s International campaign as Derek O’Brien’s side make their final preparations in advance of this season’s SAFIB Centenary Shield campaign. 

The Republic of Ireland will take on Wales in their opening fixture on March 20 in Tramore AFC while a week later, they will travel to Stenhousemuir to take on Scotland on March 27. The penultimate fixture will see them take on defending Champions Northern Ireland in Belfast on April 11 while they finish their season at home to England on April 24 in Athlone Town AFC. 

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SCHOOLS SELECT 

Kyle GABBIDON (Coola Post Primary School, Sligo), Sam NEVILLE, Ethan CHEESE (both Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge), Aaron CASS (Abbey Community College, Ferrybank), Alain KIZENGA © (St. Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue), James MORAHAN, MacDaragh SCANLON, Billy REGAN (all St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway), Luke DOOLAN(St. Brendan’s College, Killarney), Jack SWEENEY (Merlin College, Galway), Adam NOLAN (Maynooth Community College), Fionn McNAMARA (St. Patrick’s College, Cavan), Rhys KNIGHT (Clonkeen College, Blackrock), Callum LYNCH (Summerhill College, Sligo), Matt JONES (St. Flannan’s College, Ennis), Oisín KELLY (Ballyhaunis Community School), Jayden O’DONOVAN (St. Clement’s College, Limerick), Eoin HANNON (Presentation College, Athenry), Jacob CARROLL (St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway), Daniel CUNNINGHAM (Coláiste na Carraige, Carrick, Donegal). 

INJURED | Shaun HALL (Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge)

MANAGEMENT |  Derek O’BRIEN, Head Coach (Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore), Alan MURPHY, Coach (St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway) Ollie HORGAN, Coach (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), John POWER, GK Coach, Martin CAVANAGH, Equipment Manager (Carndonagh Community School), Michael McGLYNN (Physio), Dr. Aidan O’COLMAIN (Team Doctor)

AUSTRALIA | Marcus Petrovski, Bradley Marszai, Joshua Falato, Jasper Swadling, Lachlan Tilt, Noah Ovens, Campbell Reid, Hamza Bangash, Jude Christie, Julian Rodriguez, Kota Toyooka, Luca West, Mikah Chilas, Harrison Farrow, Hugo McAteer, Steve Nealon, Natalio Marando, Aaron Hage

MANAGEMENT | Pat Marando, Dean Stafrace, Cameron McDonald, Ron Pratt, Tony Olivera, Seb van der Vliet