Winning Cup Start For Under-19s

Ireland coach Pat Murray admitted “things are only going to get tougher” for his side after they earned a 16-0 opening day win over Georgia at the IRB Under-19 World Cup in Durban, South Africa.

IRB Under-19 World Cup: Friday, April 1
Ireland U-19 16 Georgia U-19 0, Kings Park
Scorers: Ireland: Try: Eric Moloney; Con: Robert Kearney; Pens: Kearney 3

In heavy heat, the Irish rode their luck at times against the indisciplined eastern Europeans, and Murray knows his youngsters will have to up the tempo with ties against the hosts and Australia to come next week.

“This was the first game of the tournament and we didn’t really know what to expect and it was like stepping into the unknown. They were a tough side and the tournament is only going to get tougher,” he conceded.

Having observed a minute’s silence beforehand to mark the anniversary of the death of Ulster schools captain John McCall – who tragically passed away at the opening game of last year’s tournament, Ireland started sluggishly.

Talismanic captain Robert Kearney did kick the Irish into a 6-0 half-time lead, thanks to two lengthy penalty drives. But the ex-Clongowes schoolboy star was off-target with three other place-kicks.

The second half saw Georgia have captain and flanker Simon Maisuradze yellow-carded for a ruck misdemeanour – and although Murray’s charges failed to score with the opposition down to 14, they did grab the game’s only try on 52 minutes.

Replacement prop Kevin Griffin (Shannon) broke free to send UCC winger Eric Moloney haring down the touchline and over for the clinching score.

Kearney converted and tagged on a 60th-minute penalty, with Murray unloading his bench in the closing quarter.

Full-back Kearney commented afterwards: “We just weren’t able to get going but I suppose at the end of the day a win is a win, but we have got some areas to work on.”

The Ireland Under-19s next face South Africa – impressive 62-18 winners over Argentina at the ABSA stadium – on Tuesday.

IRELAND U-19:

(15) Robert Kearney (UCD) (Capt)
(14) Eric Moloney (UCC)
(13) Fergus McFadden (Clongowes)
(12) Darren Cave (Sullivan Upper School)
(11) Dale Black (Portadown)
(10) Evan Ryan (UCC)
(9) Matthew D’Arcy (Dublin University)
(1) Callum Black (Hartpury)
(2) Gavin O’Meara (Lansdowne)
(3) Brendan Lynch (Rotherham Titans)
(4) David McGowan (Buccanneers)
(5) Devon Toner (Lansdowne)
(6) Diarmuid Laffen (Dublin University)
(7) Barry O’Mahony (Crescent College Comprehensive)
(8) Darren O’Reilly (Blackrock College)

Replacements used: Kevin Griffin (Shannon) for Lynch, Adrian Saunderson (Ballyclare) for O’Reilly (both 44 mins), Fergal Walsh (UCC) for Toner (61), Robert Boles (Colstons Collegiate School) for Kearney (68), Conor Muldoon (Galwegians) for O’Meara (69), Daniel Dawson (Cooke) for O’Mahony (71). Not used: Gary Walsh (UL Bohemians), Greg Cooney (Old Belvedere), Killian Lett (UCD), Frank Daly (Thomond), Kieran Moloney (Blackrock College).

Coach: Pat Murray
Assistant Coach: Bryan Hyland
Manager: Michael Cunningham

Georgia U-19: David Gurgenidze; Mamuka Ninidze, Giorgi Mchedlishvili, Irakli Chkhikvadze, Dimitri Meskhishvili; Charles-Edouard Yachvili, Giorgi Begadze; Beka Sheklashvili, Giorgi Soselia, Davit Kubriashvili, David Daushvili, Iraki Daushvili, Simon Maisuradze (Capt), Lasha Tavartkiladze, Galaktion Gagnidze.
Replacements: Otar Turashvili, Anton Peikrishvili, Beka Mekokishvili, Levan Daraselia, Alexander Maglakelidze, Luka Kilasonia, Levan Khukhunaishvili, Villiam Kaifadjian, Alexander Todua, Irakli Gegenava, Giogi Sadzaglishvili.

Sin-bin: Simon Maisuradze (Georgia) (42 mins)
HT: Ireland U-19 6 Georgia U-19 0
Referee: James Jones (Wales)

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Other Division A/B results:

Division A: France 6 Australia 10; England 32 Scotland 11; Japan 5 Romania 15; New Zealand 25 Wales 8; South Africa 62 Argentina 18

Division B: Namibia 49 Spain 5; Samoa 27 Zimbabwe 0; USA 32 Paraguay 13; Italy 15 Tonga 25; Uruguay 41 Russia 0; Chile 21 Korea 34

Other Ireland fixtures: (kick-offs, Irish time)

Tuesday, April 5: South Africa U-19 v Ireland U-19, Woodburn, 2.30pm

Saturday, April 9: Ireland U-19 v Australia U-19, ABSA Stadium, 1.45pm