Republic of Ireland 'B' 2-0 Northern Ireland 'B'

The 'B' match between the hosts and their northern neighbours was played with the competitive edge typical of a 'derby' encounter. Northern Ireland started at a brisk pace and had the first shot on goal after four minutes which Belvedere goalkeeper Craig Sexton turned round the post. A few minutes later the Northern boys fashioned another opening but shot wide. Ireland's first effort on goal came after nine minutes when Robbie Benson of St Francis FC forced a good save from the goalkeeper.

Vincent Butler's boys took the lead midway through the half when Jean Biansumba released Jordan Philpott and the lad from Cork stayed calm and drove his shot into the far corner of the net. Both sides created a series of chances throughout the remainder of the first half but all failed to find the target. Minutes before the break, a neck injury to Northern Irish full back Denim Wray required lengthy medical treatment and he was stretchered off. Pleasingly, Denim did not suffer serious injury and was later able to re-join his colleagues.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, with both sides having scoring opportunities. Prominent throughout the match for the Republic of Ireland was Arklow Town midfielder Shane Murray. Fifteen minutes into the second half, some excellent approach play from Philpott, the Kilreen Celtic lad, created a chance which was gratefully accepted by Ballinroad's Paul Whyte to put Butler's Boys two ahead. In the latter stages, both managers took the opportunity to introduce some new faces and the game ended quietly.

Republic of Ireland 'B' Team: Craig Sexton (Belvedere); Rory Gartlan (Renmore), Eoin Farrell (Cahir Park), Matt Doherty (Belvedere), Gareth Wallace (Wexford Albion); Anton Rodgers (Chelsea), Shane Murray (Arklow Town), Eoin Wearen (St Kevin's Boys), Jordan Philpott (Kilreen Celtic); Robbie Benson (St Francis), Jean Biansumba (Confey).
Substitutes: Jack Carty (Hodson Bay) for Farrell (50), Paul Whyte (Ballinroad) for Benson (50), Ryan Connolly (Ballyglass) for Biansumba (60), Ryan Kinsella (St Kevin's Boys) for Sexton (65), Anthony O'Connor (Nufarm Athletic) for Gartlan (65), Barry O'Mahoney (Strand Celtic) for Rodgers (65).