SA Sevens: Irish Bow Out To Canada

Despite an encouraging 29-17 defeat of Portugal in the Bowl quarter final, Ireland lost in the last four to Canada (24-19) at the IRB South Africa Sevens on Saturday in Outeniqua Park, George.

Lansdowne and Leinster flanker Niall Ronan was crucially sin-binned in the second half against the Canadians as the Irish led 19-7.

And a series of defensive errors allowed Canada’s Marco Di Girolamo, Ryan Smith and Justin Mensah-Coker get in for late tries.

Earlier, 23-year-old Ronan, Ballymena back row Michael McComish and Dolphin scrum-half Tomas O’Leary – notching his fifth try in five games at the Durban tournament – all touched down to cancel out a Dave Moonlight effort for Canada, but it proved not enough.

Belfast Harlequins fly-half Ian Humphreys also kicked two conversions, to end the tournament on 28 points.
Ryan Constable’s young side ran in fives tries – including a brace from O’Leary earlier – when edging the European number ones, Portugal.

In Pool action on Friday, Australia had to rely on a late Anthony Sauer try to edge out the young Irish 26-22.

O’Leary was in devastating form, bagging two tries with Humphreys and Niall O’Brien of Clontarf – a replacement for Connacht’s Chris Keane – also on target.

Last year’s champions England continued their strong form from Dubai, scoring five tries, including a brace from Newcastle Falcons’ teenager Matthew Tait, to Ireland’s three in their 31-19 win.
Humphreys, who ended the day on 20 points, and Leinster pairing James Norton and Dave Hewitt exposed the English rearguard for Ireland’s scores.

23-year-old Norton grabbed his second against Kenya, but the Africans claimed their second win in the space of a week against the Irish – winning 21-14, with the lively McComish tagging on a late, second try for Constable’s side.

Results:
IRB South Africa Sevens, George – Bowl Semi-final:

IRELAND 19 Canada 24
Scorers: Ireland: Niall Ronan, Michael McComish, Tomas O’Leary try each; Ian Humphreys 2 cons

Bowl Quarter final:

Portugal 17 IRELAND 29
Scorers: Ireland: Tomas O’Leary 2 tries, Martin McPhail, James Norton, Mark Bruce try each; Ian Humphreys 2 cons

Pool B:

Australia 26 IRELAND 22
Scorers: Ireland: Tomas O’Leary 2 tries, Ian Humphreys try, con; Niall O’Brien try

England 31 IRELAND 19
Scorers: Ireland: Ian Humphreys try, 2 cons; Dave Hewitt, James Norton try each

IRELAND 14 Kenya 21
Scorers: Ireland: James Norton, Michael McComish try each; Ian Humphreys 2 cons