Ireland 31 Japan 18

Ireland notched up an impressive five tries in their battle with Japan, with a play off for 9th and 10th place against Scotland on Sunday now to prepare for.

Munster was well represented, with Crescent College Comprehensive s ever vigilant wing forward Barry O Mahony becoming the second Munster player to score in the competition, after UCC/CIT s winger Eric Moloney picked up a try in the opening game against Georgia. In a fantastic individual effort, O Mahony touched down after 6 minutes to give Ireland a confident start. At half time, Ireland led 26-6, with the Japanese unable to cope with the powerful Irish. Despite the Japanese making a comeback of sorts in the second half, and Ireland reduced to 14 men at 68 minutes when Shannon s prop Kevin Griffin was sin binned, it wasn t enough to bridge the deficit.

With Barry O Mahony retaining the no. 7 jersey, Eric Moloney returned to a starting position on the wing. Gary Walsh (UL Bohemians) and UCC second row Fergal Wash came on early in the second half. St. Munchin s and Ireland Schools centre Keith Earls got his first taste of action in the competition late in the game. Unfortunately, UCC s Evan Ryan at out half didn t make the starting line up due to injury.

IRELAND U-19: (15) Robert Kearney (UCD), (14) Eric Moloney (UCC), (13) Fergus McFadden (Clongowes), (12) Darren Cave (Sullivan Upper School), (11) Dale Black (Portadown), (10) Killian Lett (UCD), (9) Matthew D'Arcy (Dublin University), (1) Callum Black (Hartpury), (2) Gavin O'Meara (Lansdowne), (3) Kevin Griffin (Shannon), (4) David McGowan (Buccanneers), (5) Devon Toner (Lansdowne), (6) Adrian Saunderson (Ballyclare), (7) Barry O'Mahony (Crescent College Comprehensive), (8) Diarmuid Laffan (Dublin University) (Capt) Replacements used: Robert Boles (Colstons Collegiate School) for McFadden (37 mins), Darren O'Reilly (Blackrock College) for O'Mahony, Fergal Walsh (UCC) for McGowan, Gary Walsh (UL Bohemians) for C Black (all 54), Conor Muldoon (Galwegians) for O'Meara (57), Greg Cooney (Old Belvedere) for Laffan, Keith Earls (St Munchin's College) for Kearney (both 68), Brendan Lynch (Rotherham Titans) for Saunderson (75). Not used: Peter Durcan (Roscrea), Kieran Moloney (Blackrock College RFC), Daniel Dawson (Cooke).

Coach: Pat Murray Assistant Coach: Bryan Hyland Manager: Michael Cunningham Referee: Peter Allen (Scotland)

Ireland U-19 Results/Fixtures: Friday, April 1: Ireland 16 Georgia 0, Kings Park Tuesday, April 5: South Africa 32 Ireland 7, Woodburn Oval Saturday, April 9: Australia 23 Ireland 0, ABSA Stadium Wednesday, April 13: 9th-12th Place Play-Off: Ireland 31 Japan 18, Glenwood High School Sunday, April 17: 9th-10th Place Play-Off: Ireland v Scotland, King's Park, 2.30pm