Despite a late come-back from Scotland, the Ireland Under 19s kept their compsure to hold on for a 28-22 victory at the IRB/FIRA World Championships at Creteil, Paris, yesterday.
First half-tries from Brett McNamee and Ross McCarron, and a conversion and two penalties from outhalf Barry Keeshan had Ireland 18-10 in front at the interval.
Ireland went further ahead when McCarron scored his second try, which Keeshan converted, but the Scots struck back in injury-time with a try to cut Ireland's lead to just three points (25-22). However, Keeshan then had the final say with a penalty five minutes into injury-time.
Ireland's final game will be against either England or Wales on Sunday at Stade Jean Bouin, home to Stade Francais.
Ireland. Ross McCarron - UCD; Kieran Geraghty - Colston College, Greg Stafford - Lansdowne, Breiffne O'Donnell - UL Bohemians, Marc Hewitt -Skerries; Barry Keeshan - UCC, Steven Auld - Belfast Harlequins; Frank Leonard - UL Bohemians, Gary Maxwell - Dungannon John Andress - Belfast Harlequins; Lewis Stevenson - Belfast Harlequins, Mark Melbourne - Garryowen; Brett McNamee - Northhampton, Oisin Hennessy - Dungannon, Anthony Kavanagh capt - Garryowen. Replacements: Robert Quinn - UCC, Robert Sweeney - St. Marys, Ronan Loughney - UL Bohemians, Tim Ryan - Highfield, Cillian Willis - Blackrock, Paul McKenzie - Loughborough University, Gareth Steenson - QUB, Richard McCarter - QUB, Colm Treston - Blackrock, Thomas Horner - Belfast Harlequins, Daniel Smith - Colston College