Title hopes dented as Ireland robbed at the death

IRELAND’S U20s face an uphill struggle to qualify for the semi-finals of the IRB Junior World Championships after suffering injury-time heartbreak in their opener against France in Rosario.

Allen Clarke’s charges can hold their heads high after a brave performance, but ultimately they should have left the home of Argentine football club Newells Old Boys with a draw at least.

It looked like heading that way when Simon Zebo popped up at the end of a sublime move to score in the 80th minute before James McKinney held his nerve to deliver the equalising conversion from the touchline.