O'Donoghue in middle of Ireland's Centenary Shield campaign

ENGLAND came from 2-0 down to claim the INSPIRESPORT Centenary Shield with a draw against the Republic of Ireland.

Ryan O'Donoghue of Our Lady's Secondary School, Belmullet, played for 90 minutes but was replaced late on as Ireland went in search of a winning goal that would have kept them in contention in the tournament.

Sam Grouse was the hero for England. He was only on the park two minutes when he scored the vital equaliser to see the hosts lift the trophy with a 2-2 draw.

With three wins from three games, England only required a point against the Republic of Ireland to see them claim the Centenery Shield. True to their recent form, it was another late comeback that secured the silverware for the champions.

Ireland got a dream start when Confey College star Jamie Aherne converted on three minutes, and the lead was doubled just before the interval when Dylan Grimes of Marino College scored.

The English comeback started with an Aaron Smith’s screamer from outside the box but further attacks were repelled as O'Donoghue performed well in defence alongside Shane Hanney and Conor McCarthy.

At the other end of the field, Adrian Delap and Jamie Aherne tested the England goalkeeper numerous times but he was razor sharp between the sticks.

The English equaliser came two minutes from time as Sam Grouse managed to net the ball following a scramble in the box to take the honours for the season.

There are remaining home and away fixture left for the Republic of Ireland in the series. They host Scotland on Thursday (April 14) in Celtic Park, Killarney FC, followed by a trip to Wales to see out their campaign as the Dragons entertain them on Thursday, April 28.