A truly magnificent performance, constructed on guts, determination, character and a greater tactical appreciation of the conditions. That Ireland triumphed in this SANZAR Invitational Under-21 Championship match at Belgrano RFC is in itself a tremendous achievement, but to do so when reduced to 14 men for 45 minutes of play beggars superlatives.
Shane Horgan's dismissal two minutes before the interval for leading with the elbow when chasing down a Staunton punt would have seen a less resilient side disintegrate, but this Irish team responded superbly. Horgan's challenge appeared innocuous, a trifle late at worst and the recipient, Argentinian full back Santiago Van der Ghote, jumped to his feet 15 seconds after crumbling to the ground.
In fairness to the referee, South African Louis Mozamba, who had a fine game in difficult conditions, he had no hesitation in producing the red card to a crest-fallen Horgan. Horgan was subsequently banned for one match (New Zealand on Friday) by the tournament's disciplinary committee. Both Horgan and team manager Eddie Wigglesworth attended the meeting and it is unlikely that they will appeal the decision.
However even Horgan's misfortune failed to dampen Irish supporters' celebrations on the final whistle. How the players deserved it and so too coach Brian McLaughlin who tactically masterminded an epic second-half rearguard action.
He did not choose to introduce a centre to replace Horgan, instead keeping his pack intact and rearranging the responsibilities, in a defensive capacity, of the backline.
In the conditions that prevailed, a muddy morass, it proved an inspired choice. But he would be first to pay tribute to his players and in terms of the amended structure, no one played with greater effect than David Quinlan, moved to his favoured role of inside centre for this game. On several occasions it was his crunching tackles that cauterised the Argentinian flow.
It seems invidious to single out individuals in a wonderful team display but Bryn Cunningham, Kieron Campbell, Donnacha O'Callaghan and Leo Cullen deserve special mention.
Cunningham demonstrated great composure at full back and his kicking was never less than assured while Campbell varied his game superbly and his kicking was equally accomplished. O'Callaghan and Cullen were superbly abrasive up front both in taking the ball into contact and pro-active defence. They were ably supported by the rest of the pack.
The front row of Stephen Baretto, Adrian Flavin and Simon Best scrummaged brilliantly against a colossal opposition, one dogged passage in the first half certain to go down in front-row lore. Perched precariously five metres from their own line, the Irish pack defended four successive scrums before the halftime whistle brought them a deserved respite.
Aidan Kearney and Mick O'Driscoll produced towering line-out displays pinching several opposition balls. Jeremy Staunton shrugged off the malaise of the last game with a mature and intelligent performance and so too did his replacement in the second half, Mark McHugh: the latter's diagonal kicking was inch perfect.
Ireland led 3-0 at the interval, Staunton landing one penalty from three attempts in under-foot conditions akin to treacle. Ireland continued to kick for position, their thunderous tackling forcing the Argentinians into one error after another and Staunton landed a second penalty on 46 minutes.
The Irish weathered periodic moments of cohesion from their opponents, but it was the green jerseys who put in a storming finish with McHugh posting two penalties in the closing 10 minutes to a single strike from Argentina out-half Federico Serra.
Ireland now play New Zealand on Friday with a definite opportunity to make the semi-finals. However for now, the reflected glow of yesterday's performance, one of the great in Irish underage rugby, will take a long time to diminish.
Scoring sequence: 36 mins: Staunton penalty 0-3. 46: Staunton penalty 0-6; 72: McHugh penalty 0-9; 74: Serra penalty, 3-9; 76: McHugh penalty, 3-12.
Argentina: S Van der Ghote; M Murgier, M Gaitan, P Garcia Hamilton, F Leonelli; F Serra, A Querol (capt); D Rodriguez, F LeCot, GA Quinones; I Miranda, G Miranda; J Belloto, C Ayala, J Fairas. Replacements: S Franzini for Belloto 57 mins; M Sambuceti for G Miranda 66 mins; D Orengo for Murgier 66 mins; J Sabatte for Farias 73 mins.
Ireland: B Cunningham (Bective Rangers); J Davis (Dungannon), S Horgan (Lansdowne), D Quinlan (Blackrock College), T Keating (Blackrock College); J Staunton (Garryowen), K Campbell (London Irish); S Baretto (Terenure College), A Flavin (London Irish), S Best (Newcastle); M O'Driscoll (UCC), A Kearney (UCD); D O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution), L Cullen (Blackrock College) capt, M Haslett (Cambridge University). Replacements: M McHugh (St Mary's College) for Staunton 56 mins; P Neville (Garryowen) for Haslett 56 mins; D Dillon (UCD) for Kearney 66 mins; J Flannery (UCC) for Flavin 73 mins.
Yellow cards: A Kearney (Ireland), M Sambuceti (Argentina), A Querol (Argentina).
Sent off: S Horgan (Ireland). Referee: L Mozamba (South Africa).
Other results: Australia 28, Wales 14; South Africa 39, England 5; New Zealand 32, France 19.
