Under-18s Undone By England

Late tries from Colin Murphy and Jamie Hagan failed to deny England Under-18s a 38-21 win at the Four Nations tournament in Wales today, despite the best efforts of Charlie McAleese’s Ireland.

Under-18 Four Nations: Friday, April 1
England U-18 38 Ireland U-18 21, Pontypridd RFC
Scorers: England: Tries: Jamie Miller, Jordan Turner-Hall, Ollie Dodge, Mark Odejobi; Con: Marcus Jackson 3; Pens: Jackson 4
Ireland: Tries: Colin Murphy, Jamie Hagan; Con: Ian Keatley; Pens: Ger Slattery 3

McAleese’s men – 10-0 victors over Scotland on Tuesday – went into this afternoon’s Pontypridd fixture still with an outside chance of taking the title.

However that was quickly erased by a powerful England side, who raced into a 23-9 half-time lead – with Ireland’s points coming from the boot of goal-kicking St Munchin’s hooker Ger Slattery (3).

Boyne winger Shane Monahan was unfortunately caught in possession by Jordan Turner-Hall shortly before the break, and he touched down to add to England flanker Jamie Miller’s early try.

England made certain of victory in the second half as Ollie Dodge and replacement Mark Odejobi scored and fly-half Marcus Jackson completed his 18-point haul.

Belvedere winger Murphy and replacement prop Hagan of Balbriggan RFC made sure the Irish youngsters ended the week-long tournament on a high however, with well-taken efforts in the closing minutes.

The victory for Alan Hughes’ England side was enough to secure the Four Nations trophy – as hosts Wales – winners every year since 1999 – could only draw 6-6 with Scotland.

IRELAND U-18:

(15) Dan Lavery (Irish Exiles)
(14) Shane Monahan (Boyne RFC)
(13) Aiden Wynne (Athlone RFC)
(12) Ian Whitten (Wallace HS)
(11) Colin Murphy (Belvedere College)
(10) Ian Keatley ( Belvedere College)
(9) Stephen Cranley (Pres Bray)
(1) David Millard (Irish Exiles)
(2) Gerard Slattery (St Munchin’s College)
(3) Richard Sweeney (St. Mary’s College)
(4) Jonathon Graham (Royal School Armagh)
(5) James McCullough (R.B.A.I)
(6) Kevin Sheehan (St. Michael’s College)
(7) David Fenlon (Irish Exiles)
(8) Sean O’Brien (Tullow RFC) (Capt)

Replacements used: Neilus Keogh (St Munchin’s College) for McCullough, Steven Douglas (R.B.A.I) for Slattery (both 45 mins), David Mahony (St Michael’s College) for Millard, Jamie Hagan (Balbriggan RFC) for Sweeney, Tommy O’Donnell (Clanwilliam) for O’Brien, David Drake (R.B.A.I) for Cranley (all 55). Not used: David Johnston (Methodist College).

Coach: Charlie McAleese
Assistant Coach: Terry Kingston
Manager: David Eakin

England U-18: Alex Tait; Ollie Dodge, George Hughes (Capt), Jordan Turner-Hall, Nick Canty; Marcus Jackson, Rob Springall; Matt Mullan, Adam Bray, Jack Forster, Charlie Gardiner, Simon Pitfield, Sam McDonald, Jamie Miller, Alex Shaw.
Replacements: Mark Odejobi, Adam Lewis, Stuart Eborall, Tim Visser, Jordan Page, Hugo Ellis, Richard Gill.

HT: England U-18 23 Ireland U-18 9
Referee: Andrew Hepburn (Scotland)

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Tournament Results/Fixtures:

Round One: Sat, Mar 26: Scotland 15 England 47; Ireland 13 Wales 13

Round Two: Tues, Mar 29: Ireland 10 Scotland 0; Wales 20 England 6

Round Three: Fri, April 1: England 38 Ireland 21; Wales 6 Scotland 6, both Pontypridd RFC