TJ Molloy stole the show but Dundalk FC wish to congratulate our Academy players TJ, Seán Spaight and Calum Woods on their performances in the Victory Shield as Ireland edged out the North 1-0 in the finale in Scotland on Sunday morning.
Dundalk FC Academy Players Seán Spaight, Calum Woods & TJ Molloy after the Victory Shield match between Ireland and the North in Cumbernauld, Scotland, 13 October 2024.
The Lilywhites duo of Spaight, who once again captained his country as he has done throughout the tournament, and Woods – for the North – both started, but Molloy was left on the bench, manager Paul Osam well in the knowledge of his potential impact.
Molloy would net a 71st-minute winner for his side as they won the tournament for the third year running. In a tight game, it was Osam’s team that capitalised on a mistake in the North’s backline, with Dundalk striker Molloy firing home to score the game’s only goal.
After the North beat Scotland earlier in the week and Ireland overcame Wales 3-2, it meant Sunday’s game was a ‘winner takes all’ contest.
That made for a tight affair at the Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld, with the only chance of note in the first half coming from Joe Byrne, who saw his long-range effort easily dealt with by goalkeeper Michael Doherty.
In the second half, it was much more Ireland, with David Dunne’s trickery and pace causing the North more issues.
In the 55th minute, Ireland had a glorious chance. The ball dropped to Byrne free in the box, but the bounce made it awkward to control and he was unable to fire off an effort which would have been a likely goal.
Ten minutes later, the North had a great chance when their captain Calum Anderson got a free header at goal, but could not hit the target.
Molloy almost broke the deadlock moments later, but he saw his header go safely into the goalkeeper’s hands.
Only a minute after that warning, Molloy found the net. A mix-up at the back saw Doherty hesitate with the presence of Brody Collins and, with the ball falling to the free Collins, he picked out Molloy to smash home.
The goal was Molloy’s third in the competition having scored against Scotland and Wales. This success means that Osam has led five different Under-16 sides to a title in the last nine years.
IRELAND: Brunton (Moloney 41), Dempsey (Greene 57), Spaight (C), Dumigan (Gabbidon 41), Prizeman, Spelman, Ferizaj (Collins 41), Sullivan (McGrath 77), Dunne (Greene 57), Byrne, Armstrong (Molloy 41).
NORTHERN IRELAND: Doherty, Anderson (C), Woods, Madden, Hawe, Kerr, Cassidy, Campbell, Ross, Gough, Longridge. Substitutes: Stanfield, Trainor, Murdock, Sweeney, Morrison, Smyth, Dolan, Tohill.
Victory Shield Results
Tuesday 8th October: Scotland 1-1 Ireland (Scotland won 4-3 on penalties) & Wales 3-3 Northern Ireland (Wales won 3-1 on penalties).
Thursday 10th October: Scotland 0-1 Northern Ireland & Ireland 3-2 Wales.
Sunday 13th October: Northern Ireland 0-1 Ireland & Scotland 0-1 Wales.
Report details from FAI.ie.
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