A terrific team performance saw the Ireland U18 Clubs side begin this week's International Triangular Festival with a deserved 18-10 victory over France.
With a very strong wind affecting the game at Hartpury College, Ireland gained crucial early ground with all 18 of their points scored in the opening 20 minutes.
Skerries clubman Ciaran Frawley settled the nerves with a third minute penalty and a converted try from captain Conor Farrell, 10 minutes later, kept Wayne Mitchell's youngsters on course.
Buccaneers' Luke Carty added the extras and also slotted a penalty and while the French mustered a seven-pointer of their own, an unconverted effort from Gorey number 8 Paul Boyle gave Ireland an 18-7 interval lead.
Farrell and his hard-working team-mates were full value for that scoreline, having shown impressive control in a very well contested first half. Some of the best aspects of their game were their fast line speed, their cohesion at restarts and the chop tackles that contained the attacks from a French side that was selected from their regional academies.
Ireland profited from solid returns from their lineout and scrum, but they needed a huge defensive effort to keep the wind-backed French at bay. Although Mitchell's charges were pinned back in their own half for the entire second period, they only conceded three points shortly after the restart.
The International Triangular Festival finishes on Easter Saturday when Ireland take on England U18 Counties, who beat France 7-5 in the opening fixture. Kick-off at Hartpury College is 11am.
Ireland U19s take the spoils in Marcoussis opener
The U19s secured Ireland's second underage international win over France in the space of a few hours as fullback David O'Mahony did all the scoring in today's 13-10 triumph in Marcoussis.
Following up on the U18s' success in Gloucester earlier in the day, the Ireland U19s were victorious in the first match of their double header with their French counterparts. The second game takes place on Saturday evening.
Coached by Peter Malone and Kieran Campbell, Ireland took some time to settle into the game and it difficult to stamp their authority on the first half. They did take a 3-0 lead when Young Munster full-back David O'Mahony was successful with a 12th minute penalty.
However, France responded in a positive manner with Romuald Seguy converting a 23rd minute try from winger Martin Laveau following a good team move. The out-half also split the posts with a late penalty to give the French a 10-3 advantage at the break.
The hosts, whose side was dominated by players from the French Central Academy, tried to kick on, but Ireland seized the momentum and really stepped it up a gear or two in the second half.
Malone's youngsters had France on the back foot for long periods. 15 minutes in, Ireland were certain they had scored a try but referee Emanuele Tomo blew for a knock-on just before the grounding.
O'Mahony, already an Ulster Bank League debutant this season, landed a second successful penalty within five minutes to reduce the deficit to 10-6.
With the French appearing to tire, Ireland, who were fiercely competitive at the breakdown, raised their level of performance yet again. Good work from the pack, with back rowers Greg Jones, Neil Reilly and Max Deegan to the fore, produced quality possession for the backs.
Crisp passing and interplay between John Poland, Jimmy O'Brien, captain Paul Kiernan, Conor O'Brien and Jacob Stockdale allowed O'Mahony to cap a fine personal performance with a 65th minute try. He added the conversion for good measure, giving his side a three-point lead.
The impressive Ireland pack held firm with Andrew Porter and Conor Kenny causing all sorts of problems for their opposite numbers. Ireland finished the stronger, pressing for a second try close to the French line before the final whistle came.
Although pleased with the result, there was also the realisation in the Irish camp that there is much room for improvement in all departments before the rematch at the same venue on Easter Saturday (kick-off 7pm local time/6pm Irish time).