Disappointing endfor Irish U18s

Ireland U18s 19 England U18s 38

Wing Colin Murphy of Belvedere College and RBAI’s James McCullough both went over in the final seven minutes, but the damage had already been done after Ireland’s watertight defence, that had earned a surprise draw with Wales and victory over Scotland earlier in the week, finally broke.

Alex Tait, younger brother Matthew, proved England’s early inspiration, scampering through after Ireland lost their own lineout to send James Miller over for the opening score inside ten minutes.

That was punishment for Ireland after squandering a clear cut chance to score just moments earlier, when poor handling wasted a break by outstanding centre Ian Whitten of Wallace High School.

St Munchin’s hooker Gerard Slattery kept Ireland in touch with three successful penalties in the first half, but tries from Jordan Turner-Hall and Oliver Dodge either side of half-time ended Irish hopes.

Ireland’s youngsters rallied in the closing stages with promising fly-half Ian Keatley playing a key role in regaining some respectability on the scoreboard.

Scorers: England: Tries: J Miller, J Turner-Hall, O Dodge, M Odejobi; Pens: M Jackson (4); Cons: M Jackson (3); Ireland: Tries: C Murphy, J McCullough; Pens: G Flattery (3).

IRELAND U18: D Lavery; S Monahan, A Wynne, I Whitten, C Murphy; I Keatley, S Cranley (D Drake 64); D Millard (D Mahoney 64), G Slattery (S Douglas 52), R Sweeney (J McCullough 64), J Graham, N Keogh (J Hogan 52), K Sheehan, S O’Brien (capt) (T O’Donnell 66), D Fenlon (D Johnston 67).

ENGLAND U18: A Tait; O Dodge, G Hughes (capt), J Turner-Hall, N Canty (M Odejobi 52); M Jackson, R Springall; J Mullan, A Bray (J Page 56), J Forster (A Lewis 56), C Gardiner (S Eborall 64), S Pitfield, S McDonald (H Ellis 40), A Shaw (T Visser 73), J Miller (R Gill 26).

Referee: A Hepburn (Scotland).