Georgia next as Kidney’s troops on course to conquer Churchill

DECLAN KIDNEY’S trophy-laden season at the helm of Irish rugby is set to continue after his Ireland A side’s bonus-point victory over Canada in Colorado put them in a strong position to claim a first-ever Churchill Cup title.

A dubious 69th minute penalty try award and one from Munster’s Denis Fogarty before full-time sealed a 30-19 win for Kidney’s men who must now overcome Georgia on Sunday to reach the June 21 final where the England Saxons are their likely opponents. Trailing 16-13 at half time, Ireland upped their performance after the break, dominating the forward exchanges and territory. Despite a thunder and lightning storm throughout the third quarter that turned the game into a lottery, Ireland handled the conditions better with man-of-the-match Devin Toner, Neil Best and Sean O’Brien setting the tone up front.

Jonathan Sexton’s 64th minute introduction proved one of the game’s turning points. The game was still in the balance at that point, but the Leinster man slotted in seamlessly to the No 10 position, keeping Canada pinned deep inside their half with a superb range of kicks.

Canada could feel rightly aggrieved at Matt Goddard’s decision to award Ireland a penalty try in the 69th minute, a score that sucked the life out of the Canucks’ challenge.

Despite some wobbles under the high ball, Denis Hurley was hugely effective from full-back, and finished off a brilliant Ireland backline move in the third minute to dot down in the corner. Ten minutes later, a backline move honed on the training ground saw Fergus McFadden take a hard line down the centre and crash over to the right of the posts.

Sean O’Brien was again outstanding and could be set to take Rocky Elsom’s place on the Leinster team next season after another all-action display. Strong on the ball, almost impossible to bring down in possession, he might even be one of four players from this ‘A’ side ready to step into the senior squad for November’s internationals.

Speaking afterwards, man-of-the-match Toner said: “It was my first cap for Ireland ‘A’ so I’m pretty happy. We have been together a week now and that showed at the end when things came off. Canada were up for it but we had a point to prove as it was our first game together as an ‘A’ team. We gave away a lot of penalties and their kicker (Monro) was on form but we improved and are happy overall, especially given the conditions.”