Fourth Place Finish For U20s

Having led at half time, Ireland U20s were ultimately unable to stop the juggernaut that is New Zealand U20s in the second half of their JWC 3rd place play-off game, with the host nation winning out 45-23.

With a penalty try, Oisin Heffernan crossing the whitewash, and three penalties from Ross Byrne, the Irish looked the better organised and more disciplined team in the opening 40 minutes, and were deserving 23-21 leaders at the break.

However, having relied on counter attacking opportunities in the first half, the Baby Blacks emerged a different team after the interval to dominate both possession and territory. After giving it their all, Ireland began to run out of steam in the second half. Tired legs allowed gaps to develop in defence, creating space for the Kiwis to exploit which they duly did, running in four more tries before the full time whistle.

Despite losing today, Munster’s Jack O’Donoghue, Max Abbott, Rory Burke, Darragh Moloney, Diarmaid Dee, Ryan Foley, Dan Goggin, Alex Wootton and all the team can still look back on the tournament with immense pride as fourth place is Ireland's best ever finish at a Junior World Championship.

Ireland U20s v New Zealand U20s

Cian Kelleher, Ciaran Gaffney, Garry Ringrose, Harrisson Brewer, Alex Wootton (Dan Goggin 53)(Ryan Foley 65)(Max Abbott 61), Oisin Heffernan (Rory Burke 55)Darragh Moloney (Stephen Gardiner 40), Ross Molony (Josh Murphy 73); Peadar Timmins – capt, Rory Moloney, Frank Taggart.