Four Nations Win For Ireland Under-18s

Second half tries from Dan Lavery and Sean O’Brien helped Ireland’s Under-18s to their first victory – a 10-0 defeat of Scotland U-18 – at the Four Nations tournament this afternoon.

Four Nations Tournament: Tuesday, March 29
Ireland U-18 10 Scotland U-18 0, Dunvant RFC
Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Dan Lavery, Sean O’Brien

Having drawn 13-13 with the hosts and reigning champions Wales on Saturday, the Irish youngsters edged a muddy battle with their Scottish counterparts at Dunvant RFC, thanks to their forward dominance.

Exiles’ full-back Lavery sprinted over on 46 minutes, following a series of drives, with substitute prop Richard Sweeney notably prominent.

Then ten minutes later, skipper O’Brien of Tullow RFC bulldozed through from 10 metres out to touch down and ease Charlie McAleese’s men to victory.

The combined schools-youths Irish side next face England – impressive 48-13 winners against the Scots – in Pontypridd on Friday.

IRELAND U-18:

(15) Dan Lavery (Irish Exiles)
(14) Shane Monahan (Boyne RFC)
(13) Stuart Morrow (Methodist College)
(12) Ian Whitten (Wallace HS)
(11) Christopher Smyth (Coleraine AI)
(10) Michael Skelton (Naas RFC)
(9) Stephen Cranley (Pres Bray)
(1) David Mahony (St Michael’s College)
(2) Steven Douglas (R.B.A.I)
(3) Jamie Hagan (Belbriggan RFC)
(4) James McCullough (R.B.A.I)
(5) Jonathon Graham (Royal School Armagh)
(6) Tommy O’Donnell (Clanwilliam RFC)
(7) David Johnston (Methodist College)
(8) Sean O’Brien (Tullow RFC) (Capt)

Replacements used: Richard Sweeney (St Mary’s College) for Hagan (45 mins), David Millard (Irish Exiles) for Mahony (47), Neilus Keogh (St Munchin’s College) for McCullough (55), Kevin Sheehan (St Michael’s College) for Johnston (56), Colin Murphy (Belvedere College) for Smith (58). Not used: Aiden Wynne (Athlone RFC), David Drake (R.B.A.I)

Coach: Charlie McAleese
Assistant Coach: Terry Kingston
Manager: David Eakin
Assistant Manager: Father Joe Gough

Scotland U-18: C Goudie; J Coutts, C Anderson, G Hogg (Capt), A Robertson; C Marshall, M Bringhurst; S Linton, T Wright, R McCallum, W Litt, S Turnbull, D Levison, A Thompson, R Vernon.
Replacements used: G Nagle for Linton (46 mins), F Wilford for Wright (51), J Hunter for Bringhurst, R Curle for Marshall (both 56), G McGilchrist for Litt (64)

Referee: Ian Robinson (England)

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Match dates and venues:

Round Three: Fri, April 1: England v Ireland, 2.00pm, Wales v Scotland, 4.00pm, both Pontypridd RFC