A STRONG Northern Ireland Centenary Shield squad hit three unanswered goals in each half to claim the Lynn Nicholson Memorial Trophy at a cold, wet Springfield last night.

As expected, the North were too strong for their hosts and the victory made them clear winners of the JFA’s tri-nations tournament, with Jersey, represented by two sides last night, finishing third behind the Republic of Ireland, who dispatched an Island Youth Select 6-1 at Les Quennevais.

But although the North made several changes from the side that impressed in Tuesday’s victory over the Republic, Jersey can feel happy that they pushed a class outfit hard in most aspects, for a large chunk of the game.

The winners’ coach, Bob Ramsey, was again delighted with his side’s application and productivity – ‘an excellent bunch of young men’ – but he admitted the Jersey side had proved anything but a pushover. He said: ‘Jersey proved difficult opponents, particularly before we started to move ahead. I suspect the difference is that our boys get to play at a higher level more often.’

• Picture: Scott Finnigan chases one of Northern Ireland’s star performers, Ryan Burns. Picture by Jon Guegan (00615777)