Under-19s: Ninth Place Finish For Irish

Robert Kearney and Fergus McFadden kicked the Ireland Under-19s to a 15-8 defeat of Scotland U-19 on Sunday, and a ninth place finish at the IRB World Cup in Durban.

IRB Under-19 World Cup: 9th-10th Place Play-off: Sunday, April 17
Ireland U-19 15 Scotland U-19 8, King’s Park (2), Durban
Scorers: Ireland U-19: Pens: Robert Kearney 4, Fergus McFadden
Scotland U-19: Try: Sean Crombie; Pen: James King

Despite ending the Celtic clash without a try, captain and full-back Kearney was pleased with his side’s display at King’s Park.

“It was a great effort from the lads after losing to South Africa and Australia,” said UCD student Kearney.

“Scotland did well to come back in the second half but in truth we should have been ahead by more at the break.”

Pat Murray’s charges led 9-0 at the break, having picked off three penalties from centre McFadden (10 minutes) and Kearney (14, 35).

The Irish pack, led by Trinity back row Diarmuid Laffan, failed to break through the Scottish cover late in the half.

Kearney and UCD fly-half Killian Lett had missed two other first-half shots at the posts and Scotland hooker Sean Crombie made them pay with a 48th-minute try.

He raced onto a James King chip ahead to score in the right corner.

Nonetheless, Kearney held his nerve on 57 and 66 minutes to pick off two more penalties before King split the posts for the first time in injury-time.

Hosts South Africa – 32-7 winners over Ireland last week – lifted the Cup trophy at the ABSA Stadium, following their 20-15 win over top seeds New Zealand.

IRELAND U-19:

(15) Robert Kearney (UCD) (Capt)
(14) Eric Moloney (UCC)
(13) Fergus McFadden (Clongowes)
(12) Darren Cave (Sullivan Upper School)
(11) Dale Black (Portadown)
(10) Killian Lett (UCD)
(9) Matthew D’Arcy (Dublin University)
(1) Callum Black (Hartpury)
(2) Gavin O’Meara (Lansdowne)
(3) Kevin Griffin (Shannon)
(4) David McGowan (Buccanneers)
(5) Devon Toner (Lansdowne)
(6) Adrian Saunderson (Ballyclare)
(7) Barry O’Mahony (Crescent College Comprehensive)
(8) Diarmuid Laffan (Dublin University)

Replacements:

(16) Conor Muldoon (Galwegians)
(17) Gary Walsh (UL Bohemians)
(18) Brendan Lynch (Rotherham Titans)
(19) Fergal Walsh (UCC)
(20) Greg Cooney (Old Belvedere)
(21) Peter Durcan (Roscrea)
(22) Robert Boles (Colstons Collegiate School)
(23) Keith Earls (St Munchin’s College)
(24) Kieran Moloney (Blackrock College RFC)
(25) Darren O’Reilly (Blackrock College)
(26) Daniel Dawson (Cooke)

Coach: Pat Murray
Assistant Coach: Bryan Hyland
Manager: Michael Cunningham

Scotland U-19: Tane Jericevich; Jonathan Alston, David McCall, Christopher Dunlop, Cameron Johnston; James King, Ali Miller; Kyle Traynor (Capt), Sean Crombie, Innes Brown, Allan Kelly, Greg Scott, Calum Forrester, Ross Rennie, John Barclay.

Replacements: Donald Malcolm, Alan Dymock, Oliver Tatham, Alex Clarke, James Taggart, Jamie Hood, Greg Cottrell, Andrew Easson, Lee Kibble, David Warwick, Torrie Callander.

HT: Ireland U-19 9 Scotland U-19 0
Referee: Daniel Jabase (Argentina)

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Ireland U-19 Results:

Friday, April 1: Ireland U-19 16 Georgia U-19 0, Kings Park (3)

Tuesday, April 5: South Africa U-19 32 Ireland U-19 7, Woodburn Oval

Saturday, April 9: Australia U-19 23 Ireland U-19 0, ABSA Stadium

Wednesday, April 13: 9th-12th Place Play-Off: Ireland U-19 31 Japan U-19 18, Glenwood High School