An Under-16/Under-15 team from the Irish FA JD Academy drew against a U17/U16 Australia Schoolboys’ side in an entertaining game in Belfast.
Competition
International Friendly
Scoreline
JD Academy/NI 1-1 Australia U17/U16
Scorers
Northern Ireland: Luke Hawe
Australia: Laurence Taylor
Venue
Blanchflower Stadium, Belfast
Date
20 January 2024
Team News
The bulk of the players in the 22-strong Northern Ireland squad currently attend the Irish FA JD Academy based at Belfast’s Campbell College, with the remainder part of the association’s National Performance Programme, while Kris Lindsay is the team’s head coach.
The academy boys will represent Northern Ireland in the Victory Shield, the international schoolboys’ football competition, later this year.
How it happened
Northern Ireland started brightly and largely controlled the game, with captain Matthew Burns driving the team forward.
They deservedly took the lead when Burns shrugged off his marker and fed striker Luke Hawe inside the penalty area and he stroked the ball into the net from 12 yards. It was a sweet finish.
Defender Cead McGrath forced a good save out of Australia keeper George Russell when he pounced on a loose ball at a set-piece.
Half-time: JD Academy/NI 1-0 Australia U17/U16
When the action resumed Australia had more of the ball, and the game became a bit frantic, however Northern Ireland created more chances.
A Burns header tested Australian keeper Jared Williams, who replaced Russell at half-time.
Then the lively Joel Kerr outpaced the visitors’ defence. He slotted the ball past the advancing Williams, however his shot went just wide of the post.
Northern Ireland substitute Coran Madden’s sweet strike flew past the upright before Williams got down well to push away a Harry Allen snapshot.
McGrath steered a header wide of the post as Northern Ireland went in search of a second, while Madden’s shot was smothered by the keeper.
The visitors equalised on 70 minutes via a deflected effort.
Afterwards head coach Lindsay said the performance was “really pleasing” and the match had been a positive experience, with the team creating plenty of chances.
Full-time: JD Academy/NI 1-1 Australia U17/U16
Line-ups
JD Academy/NI: Cole Smyth, Paul Stanfield, Coist Walker, Cead McGrath, Calum Anderson, Jack Faloona, Zak Magowan, Matthew Burns, Luke Hawe, Emmett Morrison, Brandon Downey.
Substitutes: Matthew Belshaw (GK), Charlie Campbell, Alfie Mulvenna, Alfie Pollock, Sonny Trainor, Harry Allen, Alex McAlister, Joel Kerr, Coran Madden, Eamonn Tohill, Fintan McArdle.
Australia: George Russell, Rocco Marando, Lee Fenner, Bowen Hine, Kaito Pienaru, Laurence Taylor, Jake Briggs, Jeremy Mifsud, Tyrone Johns, Adrian Trovato, Harper Ryles.
Substitutes: Jared Williams (GK), Zac Brazete Mascolo, Joey Banza, Taj Sorensen, Luka Jukic, Max Linton, Aaron Mukundu.
Main image: Northern Ireland striker Luke Hawe takes on the Australian defence.
Action from Blanchflower
