Consolation for Ireland in U-19 World Cup
Ireland U-19 15 Scotland U-19 8
Rob Kearney and Fergus McFadden kicked the Ireland Under-19s to a 15-8 defeat of Scotland U-19 today, and ninth place overall at the IRB World Cup in Durban.
Despite ending the Celtic clash without a try, captain and full-back Kearney was pleased with his side's display at King's Park.
“It was a great effort from the lads after losing to South Africa and Australia," said UCD student Kearney.
"Scotland did well to come back in the second half but in truth we should have been ahead by more at the break.”
Pat Murray's charges led 9-0 at the break, having picked off three penalties from centre McFadden (10 minutes) and Kearney (14, 35).
The Irish pack, led by Trinity back row Diarmuid Laffan, failed to break through the Scottish cover late in the half.
Kearney and UCD fly-half Killian Lett had missed two other first-half shots at the posts and Scotland hooker Sean Crombie made them pay with a 48th-minute try.
He raced onto a James King chip ahead to score in the right corner.
Nonetheless, Kearney held his nerve on 57 and 66 minutes to pick off two more penalties before King split the posts for the first time in injury-time.
Hosts South Africa - 32-7 winners over Ireland last week - lifted the Cup trophy at the ABSA Stadium, following their 20-15 win over top seeds New Zealand.
Scorers:
Ireland: Pens: Robert Kearney 4, Fergus McFadden
Scotland: Try: Sean Crombie; Pen: Jonathan Alson.
