Ireland's U19's put in a sensational performance to beat their French counterparts 32-21 in Dooradoyle this afternoon.
Kieran Campbell’s side, led by Ballymena Academy's Marcus Rea, scored four tries in what was a rip-roaring game from start to finish. Jack Kelly crossed for two tries in the first half while Gavin Coombes and Colm Hogan touched down in the second period.
It was a very satisfying win for an Irish side that built on a good performance when the two sides met last Wednesday at the same venue. A game France won 18-9.
The French side opened the scoring after they finally broke down a well organised Irish defence that was led by scrum half Niall Saunders.
Alexandre Nicoue scoring a try in the left corner that was converted by full back Guillaume Cazes.
Ireland struck back immediately when Paul Boyle burst through the French defence. The ball was recycled quickly for Kelly to go in for the first of his two tries.
Conor Fitzgerald added the extras to level the game with 15 minutes on the clock.
After a period of kick tennis between the two sides, a strong break down the left wing by Gaby Ngandebe opened up the Irish defensive line.
The ball was eventually worked to French captain Baptiste Couilloud who finished off a great move. Cazes added the extras to give France the lead once more.
Fitzgerald added a penalty before France struck again with another glorious try that saw seven different players handle the ball before Theo Dachary dived over the line. Cazes converted to give France an 11 point lead.
Ireland were in no mood to lie down though and after Fitzgerald spotted a gap in the French defence, Kelly went over for his second try of the day. Fitzgerald converted to leave the half time score at 21-17 in France’s favour.
Unlike the first half, Ireland more territory and possession in the second half and after camping in the French 22 for nearly 20 minutes, Gavin Coombes showed great power to shake off a couple of French defenders and score a great try that put Ireland ahead.
Ciaran Frawley added a penalty with nine minutes left to play put Ireland four points ahead of their opponents.
Ireland were in complete control at this juncture and capped off a great win when Colm Hogan finished off a well worked back line move to score their fourth try. Frawley converted to stretch Ireland’s winning margin to nine points.
IRELAND U19: Jack Kelly (St. Michael's College); Colm Hogan (Dublin University), Gavin Mullin (Blackrock College), Peadar Collins (Ard Scoil Ris), Jordan Larmour (St. Andrew's College); Conor Fitzgerald (Ard Scoil Ris), Niall Saunders (Epsom College); Matthew Burke (Galwegians), Tadgh McElroy (Lansdowne), Peter Cooper (Belfast Harlequins), Oisin Dowling (St. Michael's College), Jack Regan (UCD), Marcus Rea (Ballymena Academy) (capt), Tom de Jongh (Belvedere College), Paul Boyle (Lansdowne).
Replacements: Dylan Murphy (Cistercian College Roscrea) for Cooper, Jonny Guy (UCD) for de Jongh (both 45 mins), Ciaran Frawley (Skerries) for Fitzgerald, Gavin Coombes (Bandon Grammar) for Dowling (both 54 mins), Conor Maguire (Boyne) for McElroy, John Foley (Shannon) for Rea, Alex McHenry for Collins (all 61 mins), Richard Mouatt (Blackrock College) for Burke, Jack Lyons (Crescent College Comprehensive) for Saunders, James McKeown (Belvedere College) for Hogan (all 70 mins)
FRANCE U19: Guillaume Cazes, Alexandre Nicoue, Theo Millet, Theo Dachary, Gaby Ngandebe, Stellio Bessaguet, Babtiste Couilloud, Kevin Tougne, Vincent Giudicelli, Thomas Laclayat, Florian Revert, Mickael Capelli, Jessy Jegerlehner, Clement Doumenc, Babtiste Pesenti;
Replacements: Fernandez Correa for Tougne, Mehmet Yilmaz for Laclayat (both 42 mins), Pierre Bourgarit for Giudicelli, Willy Ndiaye for Doumenc (both 49 mins), Mickael Romera for Coullioud, Ken Bikadua for Millet (both 67 mins).
Referee: Gareth Newman (Wales)
Ireland Scorers: Tries: Jack Kelly (2), Alex Coombes, Colm Hogan. Pens: Conor Fitzgerald, Ciaran Frawley: Conv: Conor Fitzgerald (2), Ciaran Frawley.
France Scorers: Tries: Alexandre Nicoue, Babtiste Couilloud, Theo Dachary; Conv: Guillaume Cazes (3).
Kieran Campbell’s side, led by Ballymena Academy's Marcus Rea, scored four tries in what was a rip-roaring game from start to finish. Jack Kelly crossed for two tries in the first half while Gavin Coombes and Colm Hogan touched down in the second period.
It was a very satisfying win for an Irish side that built on a good performance when the two sides met last Wednesday at the same venue. A game France won 18-9.
The French side opened the scoring after they finally broke down a well organised Irish defence that was led by scrum half Niall Saunders.
Alexandre Nicoue scoring a try in the left corner that was converted by full back Guillaume Cazes.
Ireland struck back immediately when Paul Boyle burst through the French defence. The ball was recycled quickly for Kelly to go in for the first of his two tries.
Conor Fitzgerald added the extras to level the game with 15 minutes on the clock.
After a period of kick tennis between the two sides, a strong break down the left wing by Gaby Ngandebe opened up the Irish defensive line.
The ball was eventually worked to French captain Baptiste Couilloud who finished off a great move. Cazes added the extras to give France the lead once more.
Fitzgerald added a penalty before France struck again with another glorious try that saw seven different players handle the ball before Theo Dachary dived over the line. Cazes converted to give France an 11 point lead.
Ireland were in no mood to lie down though and after Fitzgerald spotted a gap in the French defence, Kelly went over for his second try of the day. Fitzgerald converted to leave the half time score at 21-17 in France’s favour.
Unlike the first half, Ireland more territory and possession in the second half and after camping in the French 22 for nearly 20 minutes, Gavin Coombes showed great power to shake off a couple of French defenders and score a great try that put Ireland ahead.
Ciaran Frawley added a penalty with nine minutes left to play put Ireland four points ahead of their opponents.
Ireland were in complete control at this juncture and capped off a great win when Colm Hogan finished off a well worked back line move to score their fourth try. Frawley converted to stretch Ireland’s winning margin to nine points.
IRELAND U19: Jack Kelly (St. Michael's College); Colm Hogan (Dublin University), Gavin Mullin (Blackrock College), Peadar Collins (Ard Scoil Ris), Jordan Larmour (St. Andrew's College); Conor Fitzgerald (Ard Scoil Ris), Niall Saunders (Epsom College); Matthew Burke (Galwegians), Tadgh McElroy (Lansdowne), Peter Cooper (Belfast Harlequins), Oisin Dowling (St. Michael's College), Jack Regan (UCD), Marcus Rea (Ballymena Academy) (capt), Tom de Jongh (Belvedere College), Paul Boyle (Lansdowne).
Replacements: Dylan Murphy (Cistercian College Roscrea) for Cooper, Jonny Guy (UCD) for de Jongh (both 45 mins), Ciaran Frawley (Skerries) for Fitzgerald, Gavin Coombes (Bandon Grammar) for Dowling (both 54 mins), Conor Maguire (Boyne) for McElroy, John Foley (Shannon) for Rea, Alex McHenry for Collins (all 61 mins), Richard Mouatt (Blackrock College) for Burke, Jack Lyons (Crescent College Comprehensive) for Saunders, James McKeown (Belvedere College) for Hogan (all 70 mins)
FRANCE U19: Guillaume Cazes, Alexandre Nicoue, Theo Millet, Theo Dachary, Gaby Ngandebe, Stellio Bessaguet, Babtiste Couilloud, Kevin Tougne, Vincent Giudicelli, Thomas Laclayat, Florian Revert, Mickael Capelli, Jessy Jegerlehner, Clement Doumenc, Babtiste Pesenti;
Replacements: Fernandez Correa for Tougne, Mehmet Yilmaz for Laclayat (both 42 mins), Pierre Bourgarit for Giudicelli, Willy Ndiaye for Doumenc (both 49 mins), Mickael Romera for Coullioud, Ken Bikadua for Millet (both 67 mins).
Referee: Gareth Newman (Wales)
Ireland Scorers: Tries: Jack Kelly (2), Alex Coombes, Colm Hogan. Pens: Conor Fitzgerald, Ciaran Frawley: Conv: Conor Fitzgerald (2), Ciaran Frawley.
France Scorers: Tries: Alexandre Nicoue, Babtiste Couilloud, Theo Dachary; Conv: Guillaume Cazes (3).