U19 INTERNATIONAL

Ireland’s U19 side fell to defeat at the hands of Scotland in the first meeting between the two countries at this level. The game which marked a historic moment for rugby league in Ireland as the Wolfhounds under 19 side took to the field for the first time. 

It took eight minutes for the Scots to get the scoring under way when Joe Kirkup touched down. But it wasn’t to be easy sailing for the visitors as a number of penalties saw the Irish side get on top of the game. Scotland’s indiscretions would lead to their captain Jack Stewart spending ten minutes in the sin bin for persistent infringements. Ireland fought back and a superb pass from fullback Adam Brodigan sent Daryl Hand over in the corner to bring the score to 4-6 in Scotland’s favour.

Fraser McTaggart would extend Scotland’s lead before Warrington Wolves recruit Richard Harris scored an eighty metre intercept try to put his side 18-4 up after 28 minutes. Stewart then made up for his earlier sin bin when he found space from dummy half to scoot over. Kirkup then added his second before Wolfhounds hooker Emmet Banahan powered over from close range to make it 10-28 to the visitors. 

Kirkup grabbed a hat trick of tries and Finn Murphy added to the try scoring to put the game out of Ireland’s reach with twelve minutes to go. Jack Feeney rounded off the scoring for Scotland to give them a 10-42 win over the hosts. However, there was late drama when Scottish second row Oliver Murray was shown a red card for punching to end the game in an unsavoury manner. 

Scotland will be delighted with a hard fought win while Ireland will be looking to improve on their performance when they visit Wales next Sunday.

Pictured: Scotland's defence smothers Paul Bolger.

IRELAND U19
Adam Brodigan, Daryl Hand, Jonny Dunlop, Matt Connolly, Sean Hayes, Cian Harrington, Conor Redmond, Ryan Healy, Emmet Banahan, Jake Wall, Craig Black, Ty Mackness, Johnny Mooney Subs: Adam Anderson, Darren Madden, Paul Bolger, Cathal Downey

SCOTLAND U19
Alex Jobson, Damien Gennochio, Richard Harris, Jack Feeney, Finn Murphy, Fraser McTaggart, Lewis Clarke, Joe Kirkup, Jack Stewart, Sam Luckley, Olicer Murray, Angus Grindlay, Interchange: Kieran Inber, Iain Allen, Shane Toal