Coach salutes clinical Ireland

Ireland coach Andy Kelly paid tribute to his side’s professionalism as they overcame Russia 58-18 in Carlow to take another step on the road to the 2008 World Cup.

Ireland ran in 11 tries to eliminate the Russians and set up a European qualifying group one decider with Lebanon at Dewsbury on Friday, November 2.

A shock was on the cards when tries from Oleg Logunov and Valentin Baskakov put Russia 10-0 ahead after only eight minutes but hat-tricks from new captain Stuart Littler and winger Damien Blanch gave Ireland an ultimately comfortable victory.

“Credit to the Russians, in the first 20 minutes they really gave us a scare,” said Kelly. “But our squad did a professional job and stuck to the task.

“It will not be easy for Lebanon in Russia next week but it all could be down to the decider at Dewsbury for who qualifies automatically and we are already looking forward to that challenge.” After their slow start, Ireland worked their way back into the contest with Blanch getting on the end of an expansive move to open their account.

Their ability to keep the ball alive brought further reward as gaps started to appear in the Russian ranks.

A fine jinking run by the outstanding Bob Beswick created space for Sean Gleeson to force his way over out wide, this time Liam Finn adding the goal.

The Russians edged ahead again in the 21st minute when Grigoryan kicked a penalty but then the Irish took control for the remainder of the half to establish a match-winning lead.

As the visitors tired, Ireland began to find their rhythm, Gleeson powering over from close range and Littler stepping clear for his first try on the half-hour.

Beswick finished off a fine long range break from Scott Grix, who sliced through the cover and just managed to get his off load away as he fell and, right on half time, Blanch powered over between the posts from Paul Handforth’s fine pass.

Local player Steve Gibbons showed up well at the start of the second period but the Russians gave themselves a life line when exciting winger Nikolay Zagoskin collected Artem Grigoryan’s cross field kick to sprint clear past some flimsy cover defence.

After pinning the visitors back on their own line, Handforth glided through for a try which he converted and the Irish again ended the half strongly as the battling Russians finally ran out of steam.

Littler crossed twice in six minutes to complete his treble, sandwiching an effort by Beswick, before Blanch completed the scoring with his hat-trick.