Ireland Schools lose to 2nd Half Surge
The Ireland schools team fell to a heartbreaking defeat to their England counterparts 26 – 15 in the opening game of the 4 Nation schools tournament in Cheltenham RFC on Saturday afternoon.
The Ireland schools team fell to a heartbreaking defeat to their England counterparts 26 – 15 in the opening game of the 4 Nation schools tournament in Cheltenham RFC on Saturday afternoon.
The Ireland boys began the first half strongly and went into the lead through a penalty by Chris Quinn. This was cancelled out by a penalty by England, but Ireland came back to score a try through full back Jamie Smith.
The conversion was missed by right wing Quinn, but he redeemed himself when just before the break, he added the conversion to another try by Ireland through centre Eoin O’Malley. This saw Ireland go into halftime 15 – 6 in the lead following another penalty by England.
The first half started poorly for Ireland, when the England side began to grind their way up field and eventually scored a try. The luck was certainly with their hosts later in the half when a speculative kick up field bounced fortuitously into the hands of one of the chasers to allow another try.
Further penalties by England and a late drop goal set the seal on the England comeback to leave Ireland to pick themselves up for the game against Wales on Tuesday. On the evidence of the performance against England, they should look forward to this with a good degree of confidence.
15. Jamie Smith (Campbell College)
14. Christopher Quinn (Methodist College)
13. Eoin O’Malley (Belvedere College)
12. Conor Cleary (St Michaels College)
11. Patrick Brophy (St Michaels College)
10. Scott Deasy (PBC Cork)
9. David Moore (Blackrock College)
1. Paul Karayiannis (Royal Belfast Academical Institution)
2. Stephen Douglas (Royal Belfast Academical Institution) Captain
3. Matthew Nelson (Wallace High School)
4. James Sandford (Royal School Armagh)
5. Brian Cawley (Blackrock College)
6. Patrick Mallon (St Michaels College)
7. Paul Ryan (Blackrock College)
8. Kieran Essex (CBC Cork)
Replacements:
Stephen Archer (CBC Cork)
Andrew Burke (Crescent College)
Eamonn Broderick (St Munchin’s College)
Adam Craig (Royal Belfast Academical Institution)
Ken Hanley (Crescent College)
David Johnston (Methodist College)
Patrick McCabe (Belvedere College)
David Mongan (Belvedere College)
Michael Sherry (Ard Scoil Ris)
Jonathan Slattery (Belvedere College)
Michael Wilson (Rainey Endowed School)
Coach – Peter Melia (CBC Cork)
Assistant Coach – Paul Barr (PBC Cork)
Manager – Lorcan Balfe (De la Salle Churchtown)
U18 Schools Tournament Schedule:
Date Teams Venue Time
18th April Wales v Ireland Lydney RFC 4.00p.m.
21st April Scotland v Ireland Gloucester RFC 2.00p.m