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Ireland finally off the mark

WORLD JUNIOR: Ireland 37 Samoa 10: IRELAND’s UNDER-20 side are finally off the mark at the Junior World Championship after a…

RUAIDHRI O'CONNOR in Parana
Fri Jun 18 2010 - 01:00

WORLD JUNIOR: Ireland 37 Samoa 10:IRELAND's UNDER-20 side are finally off the mark at the Junior World Championship after a comfortable victory in Parana.

Winger Andy Boyle marked his first cap at this level with a hat-trick of tries, while captain Niall Annett and Eoin Griffin also scored as the islanders were overpowered in the second half.

The Six Nations champions will now play for ninth place on Monday with the carrot being a favourable draw for next year’s tournament.

Noel Reid, in for James McKinney at outhalf, kicked them into a 6-3 lead, but the execution problems that have dogged them in Argentina came back to haunt them as they failed to convert a number of early scoring chances.

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But with Samoa failing to win any of their throws, Ireland had the bulk of possession, and after Andrew Conway had knocked on with a try on, the pack decided to take things on themselves.

They won a penalty at the scrum, Reid kicked for touch and the forwards mauled on Paddy Butler with captain Niall Annett burrowing over.

Ireland led 18-10 at the interval and, after a tight opening 10 minutes, Allen Clarke’s charges started to turn the screw and the Samoans imploded.

First prop Joe Sililoto hit Boyle late and was sent to the line, before scrumhalf Jonathan Malo denied Reid a crucial offload inside the five metre line and joined his team-mate.

They hadn’t a chance with 13. Ireland got the shove on at the scrum and after Butler picked, the backs put the ball through the hands for Boyle to score.

Then Boyle turned provider, popping the ball to replacement centre Griffin. There was time for Boyle to complete his hat-trick late on as Griffin returned the favour.

SCORERS– Ireland: A Boyle 3 tries; E Griffin, N Annett 1 try each; N Reid 2 pens, 3 cons. Samoa: T Keresoma 1 try, P Fa'apale 1 pen, K Maleilagaoi 1 con.

IRELAND: A Conway (J McKinney 70); A Boyle, B Macken (E Griffin 63), D McSharry, S Zebo; N Reid, M Heaney (J Cooney h-t); B Cagney (D Buckley 70), N Annett (capt) (D Doyle 68), M Moore; B Hayes, B Marshall (D O'Callaghan 56); J Murphy, B O'Hara, P Butler (D Ryan 58).