IRB U21 World Championships

Garryowen scrum-half Gerry Hurley, UCC lock Ross Noonan and UCC wing Paul Hurley were part of an Irish side that defeated Samoa in round two of the IRB U21 World Cup in Mendoza.

IRB U21 World Cup 2005

“Ireland Keep Championship Hopes Alive with Win Over Samoa”

Ireland 29 Samoa 21

Ireland earned their first victory in the IRB U21 World Cup in Argentina with a 29-21 win over eleventh seeds Samoa in their second game of the tournament. However, they had to do without the services of Garryowen’s Mark Melbourne who picked up an ankle ligament injury prior to the game and is now ruled out of taking any further part in the World Cup. Replacing him was another Munster man, UCC s Ross Noonan who came into the starting line up. Garryowen s star scrum half Gerry Hurley who got his chance to impress by taking over in the starting line up. As he had played in the opening tie against France, UCC s Paul Hurley again played on the wing.

Samoa opened the scoring with a penalty from out half Rambo Tavana, but two early sin bins opened the way for Ireland to notch up their first scores, with No. 8 Stephen Ferris the first to go over at 14 minutes, and winger Dan Riordan adding another try after 23 minutes. Losing Stephen Ferris after 35 minutes to the sin bin, Samoa came back just before the break with hooker Andrew Viliamu getting the touchdown and giving Samoa a 13-12 lead at half time.

After the restart, Samoa s Mikaele Pesamino put Samoa further ahead with a try in the right corner after a chip ahead. However, Ireland regrouped and winger Dan Riordan picked up his second try of the day, with Steenson converting. Samoa s star outhalf scored his second try after 73 minutes, but Ireland s No. 8 Stephen Ferris sealed the victory with a late try, converted once more by Steenson. The four try tally ensured Ireland collected a bonus point, and have kept their Championships hopes alive, facing tournament favourites South Africa on Friday who remain unbeaten in the Championship.

With Melbourne s departure, five Munster players remain involved in the squad, three of whom are members of Garryowen FC with the remaining two from UCC. Forward Anthony Kavanagh, out half Conan Doyle and scrum half Gerry Hurleyall hail form Garryowen, with winger Paul Hurley and back row player Ross Noonan from UCC completing the Munster involvement. Kavanagh, Melbourne, Doyle and Noonan are all members of the Munster Academy, with Gerry Hurley and Paul Hurley due to join the Academy shortly.

Ireland U21 (15) Ross McCarron (UCD), (14) Paul Hurley (UCC), (13) Andrew Trimble (Ballymena), (12) Greg Stafford (Lansdowne), (11) Daniel Riordan (Corinthians), (10) Gareth Steenson (Dungannon) (Capt), (9) Gerry Hurley (Garryowen), (1) Gary Maxwell (Dungannon), (2) Stuart Philpott (Saracens), (3) John Andress (Belfast Harlequins), (4) Ross Noonan (UCC), (5) Ryan Caldwell (Dungannon), (6) Kevin McLaughlin (UCD), (7) Chris Henry (Malone), (8) Stephen Ferris (Dungannon) Replacements: (20) Cillian Willis (UCD) for Hurley (73 minutes)

Management: Coach: Mark McDermott Assistant Coach: Niall Malone Manager: David Haslett

Samoa U21 Team Brian Toa Thetadig; Mikaele Pesamino, Ekeroma Sefo, Gasolo Salima, Fautua Otto; Rambo Tavana (Capt), John Lemisio; Sonny Faata, Andrew Viliamu, Jake Grey, Julius Tafunai, James Lowrey, Stephen Sasagi, Sue Mikaele, Anthony Tuimaga. Replacements: Anesi Seiuli for Mikaele (7 minutes), Gafa Siona for Lemision (44 minutes), Fale Solomona for Lowrey (72 minutes), Kolli Mafileo for Viliamu (74 minutes)

Referee: Carlo Damasco (Italy)

IRB UNDER-21 WORLD CUP: Mendoza, Argentina Ireland fixtures/results: (all kick-offs Irish time (Argentina -4 hours)) Thursday, June 9: Ireland 23 France 31, Chacras RC, 7.00pm Monday, June 13: Ireland 29 Samoa 21, Maristas RC, 7.00pm Friday, June 17: Ireland v South Africa, Liceo RC, 7.00pm

Seedings (1-12): New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, Wales, France, England, Argentina, Scotland, Italy, Samoa, Canada