23/03/02.A beautiful 39th minute cut-out pass from Ronan O'Gara, to his Munster team colleague John Kelly was the highlight of the opening at the end of which Ireland led 19-0.
23/03/02.A beautiful 39th minute cut-out pass from Ronan O'Gara, to his Munster team colleague John Kelly was the highlight of the opening at the end of which Ireland led 19-0.
By then Ireland were nine points to the good thanks to three David Humphreys penalties. However Humphreys was forced off with a head injury and O'Gara came on in his place. He converted Kelly's try, added the points and a further penalty in injury time. That was awarded when the Italians were penalised at a breakdown ten metres from their own line and they had a second player yellow carded, prop Giamppiero de Carli ordered off for needlessly throwing a punch. Just before half time Humphreys returned to the fray and Dominguez missed an easy penalty.
By then Ireland were nine points to the good thanks to three David Humphreys penalties. However Humphreys was forced off with a head injury and O'Gara came on in his place. He converted Kelly's try, added the points and a further penalty in injury time. That was awarded when the Italians were penalised at a breakdown ten metres from their own line and they had a second player yellow carded, prop Giamppiero de Carli ordered off for needlessly throwing a punch. Just before half time Humphreys returned to the fray and Dominguez missed an easy penalty.