Samoa knock Ireland out of Sevens

Ireland's World Cup Sevens campaign was brought to an end in Hong Kong this morning by a last-minute Samoan try.

Gaolo Elisara breached the Irish cover just seconds from the final hooter of the Plate competition quarter-final to send Ryan Constable's side packing - on the end of a heart-breaking 19-14 defeat.

Elisara was also on target in a first half which the Irish edged 14-12 thanks to tries from skipper Ian Humphreys and a first of the tournament for Ballymena's Michael McComish.

However Elisara erased that lead in the closing stages, with too litle time for Constable's side to hit back.

Two wins from six matches - 16 tries scored, 25 against - Andy Maxwell the top try scorer with six - fly-half Humphreys bagging 44 points - all-round, a satisfactory weekend for former Ulster centre Constable.

"It was another credible performance against what is a very quick Samoan side," admitted Constable of his World Cup first-timers.

"I've said it before - Sevens is a game of very small margins. You win and you're in - you don't, you're out so we had a lapse at the end and that's the deciding factor.

"We've had some very good individual performers over the past three days though so it's encouraging for the future.

"We'll look to build on what we've learnt as a squad from the Hong Kong experience. The players were a little awestruck at first but they're good footballers and I'm pleased to have got this far," he added.

Ireland's two wins matches that of the 2001 squad - who included Connacht duo Conor McPhillips and Matt Mostyn.

Samoa went on to claim the Plate title - beating Europe's number one side Portugal 29-7.

Result: 2005 Rugby World Cup Sevens: Plate quarter-final:

Samoa 19 Ireland 14 (Scorers: Tries: Ian Humphreys, Michael McComish; Convs: Humphreys 2)