Mighty Irish effort foiled by late try blitz

ALL known logic was almost defied as the Ireland Schools came within eight minutes of trumping all-powerful England in an adrenaline-fuelled FIRA U18 European Championship qualifier at Donnybrook yesterday.

Ireland had the temerity to snatch the lead in the 56th minute when outstanding flanker Daniel Leavy fed loose-head prop Edward Byrne for a superb try, converted by wing Mark Roche for a 12-10 lead.

The Irish had been badly hampered by poor preparation — the players only met on Monday — against an England outfit powered by players conditioned by their Aviva Premiership clubs for the last two years and already boosted by a summer tour and multiple camps.