Ireland U19s squeeze into playoffs

Ireland U19 16 Samoa U19 15

The Ireland Under-19s did just enough to squeeze past Samoa in Sharjah tonight.

The result was enough to put them into a 6th-7th place play-off at the IRB U-19 World Championship.

Charlie McAleese's side pipped the Islanders by a single point thanks to a converted try from Castleknock prop Ruaidhrí Murphy, four minutes into the second half.

Murphy's school-mate Brian Collins kicked three first half penalties for a 9-8 break lead.

Hooker Steve Faatau and winger Silaumua Potifele grabbed tries in either half for Samoa, who had back row duo Richard Muagututia and Talitonu Faapuea both yellow carded.

Ireland now face Argentina in the play-offs in Sharjah on Monday.

IRELAND U-19: Niall O'Connor (Limavady GS); Keith Earls (St Munchin's), Ivan Dineen (CBC Cork), Aidan Wynne (Blackrock College), Michael Barker (Queens University); Brian Collins (Castlenock College), Paul O'Donohoe (Belvedere College); Ruaidhri Murphy (Castleknock College), David Gilchrist (UCD), Cian Healy (Belvedere College), Andrew Browne (Galwegians), Conor McInerney (UCD), Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians), David Pollock (Queens University) (capt), Kevin Sheahan (UCD).

Replacements used: Gerard Slattery (St Munchin's) for Gilchrist, Jonathan Graham (Ballynahinch) for O'Donnell (both 36 mins), Shane Monahan (Dublin University) for Dineen (48), Thomas Walsh (Castleknock College) for Browne (67).

Not used: Richard Sweeney (UCD), James Gethings (Gonzaga), David Drake (Instonians), Sean Carey (Garbally College), Ian Keatley (UCD), Ian Whitten (Queens University).

Scorers:

Ireland: Try: Ruaidhri Murphy; Con: Brian Collins; Pens: Collins

Samoa: Tries: Steve Faatau, Silaumua Potifele; Con: Karl Siemsen; Pen: Ki Anufe.