Ireland bounced back from their disappointing performance against Wales last Saturday to beat Scotland in the Four Nations Youth Championship at Dr Hickey Park, Greystones yesterday.
Although Scotland won the try count 2-1, it was Irish full back, Andrew Tallon, who saved the day with an injury time penalty. A Jamie Blackwood try and an Alistair Warnock penalty gave Scotland an 8-0 half-time lead but Ireland began the second half in resurgent fashion and were rewarded with two penalties in quick succession from Tallon.
However, Scotland increased their lead when replacement leftwing, Andrew Dick, kicked towards the Irish line for full-back Ian Wilson to win the race for the touchdown.
Ireland replied with their only try of the game when Niall Ronan barged over after good runs by Darragh Fitzgerald and David Kelly. Two minutes into injury time Tallon landed the winning penalty from in front of the posts.
Ireland Youths: A Tallon (Boyne); C Bohane (Highfield), N Kirby (Boyne), S Brady (N Kildare), D Fitzgerald (Bandon); B McCormack (Navan), C O'Loughlin (Athlone); C Duffy (Boyne), A Boyd (Clogher Valley), C O'Mahoney (Wicklow), D Kelly (Athlone), C Bickerstaff (Banbridge), A Harte (Clonakilty, capt), N Ronan (Boyne), J Boyd (Malone). Replacements: B Coffey (Wicklow) for A Boyd (43), J Muldoon (Ballinasloe) for Bickerstaff (43), G Martin (Banbridge) for Bohane (54).
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