2005 IRB U19 World Championships

Ireland suffered a 32-7 defeat at the hands of the host nation, South Africa, despite a spirited performance. Five Munster players made the starting line up.

2005 IRB U19 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

IRELAND SUFFER DEFEAT IN 2005 IRB U19 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

South Africa 32 Ireland 7

Ireland s U19 s were unable to upset the winning run of hosts, South Africa, after being defeated 32-7 in Pietermartitzburg on Tuesday in the second Division One Pool game in the 2005 IRB U19 World Championships.

Munster had a sizeable representation on the team, with UCC/CIT s Eric Moloney once more playing on the wing. His UCC team mate out half Evan Ryan resumed his position at out half, with second row Fergal Walsh earning a place on the starting line up. Crescent College Comprehensive s Barry O Mahony played at openside flanker, while prop Kevin Griffin from Shannon also started the game. He was replaced after 43 minutes by UL Bohemian prop Kevin Griffin.

South Africa were slow to get into the game, and Ireland dominated for much of the first half. However, this early control did not translate into points on the board, with the home side defending well. Ireland were unlucky not to have scored in the first half, with the forwards exerting huge pressure on the South Africa defence from a series line outs close to the South Africa line. Before half time, South Africa came back and notched up ten points after a try and penalty. After the restart, South Africa made a number of positional changes and stretched their lead to 17-0. Still, Ireland continued to look for opportunities and centre Darren Cave got a deserved try, converted by Rob Kearney. In the dying minutes of the game South Africa ran in two more tries, with the final score line not giving Ireland due credit for a spirited performance against a tough opposition. Ireland s next game is against Australia on Saturday.

The Irish U.19 team had a 16-0 victory over Georgia on Friday in their first pool game in the 2005 IRB U19 World Championship being held in Durban, South Africa. UCC winger Eric Moloney from Limerick was on the starting line up and picked up Ireland s only try of the game in the second half. Despite the difficult hot and humid conditions, Ireland s captain, fullback Rob Kearney, kicked 11 of Ireland s 16 points, but the team failed to score a bonus point.

Irish U.19 Team: 15. Robert Kearney (UCD) Captain, 14. Eric Moloney (UCC/CIT), 13. Fergus McFadden (Clongowes), 12. Darren Cave (Sullivan Upper School), 11. Dale Black (Portadown), 10. Evan Ryan (UCC), 9. Matthew D Arcy (Dublin University), 1. Callum Black (Hartbury), 2. Gavin O Meara (Lansdowne), 3. Kevin Griffin (Shannon) 4. David McGowan (Buccanneers), 5. Fergal Walsh (UCC), 6. Diarmuid Laffen (Dublin University), 7. Barry O Mahony (Crescent College Comprehensive) 8. Darren O Reilly (Blackrock College) Replacements: A. Saunderson (Ballyclare) for B. O Mahony (66), D. Toner (Landsdowne) for F. Walsh (40), D. Dawson (Cooke) for D. McGowan (66), Gary Walsh (UL Bohemian) for K. Griffin (43)