O'Connor: 'We didn't perform our best but we never backed down' 

Ireland full-back Ben O'Connor was the top performer on a night where Richie Murphy's side struggled. 

A CORK THING: Sean Edogbo of Ireland is congratulated by Ben O’Connor after scoring their side's third try. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

It's no secret that Richie Murphy's Ireland under-20 side struggled for large parts of their marginal Six Nations victory over Italy at Virgin Media Park on Friday night. 

Having come away from Aix-en-Provence with an impressive win over the French last week, the Italians caused real bother in the round two fixture.

However, the encounter was settled late on as a Seán Edogbo gallop down the wing ended with the Cobh man dotting down in the corner. 

A win is a win and they remain on for another Grand Slam, but the sentiment of their underperformance was shared by one of Ireland's top performers on the night, Munster full-back Ben O'Connor. 

"We didn't perform our best, but we knew - for the whole 80 minutes - no one was going to back down," former Cork under-20 hurler O'Connor said. "We were going to battle it out and I thought we did that at the end."

Edogbo's try was a special one, not only for his team but for the man himself. His power and athleticism on full show as he burrowed his way to the try line after being released down the edge by centre Hugh Gavin. 

"Like, it's electric, the crowd here in Virgin Media Park," Edogbo - younger brother of Munster lock Edwin - said post-match. "We spoke about it at the end there like. We were kind of disappointed, the way we played. But we found a way and got over the line."