U-19s cruise in Italy

UNDER-19 WORLD CUP: Ireland beat Romania 25-7 to remain on course for a ninth-place finish in Italy last night.

A try from centre Andy Lowe and a penalty from scrumhalf Darragh Geraghty helped Ireland to an 8-0 interval lead. Trinity number eight Jamie Heaslip nudged them further ahead with his team's second try six minutes after the re-start with Geraghty adding the extra points.

The scrumhalf kicked a penalty and added the conversion to a try from replacement hooker Denis Fogarty.

DLSP, who are in a relegation battle with Carlow, had been concerned that their rivals would be facing a depleted Ballymena side.

ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE: Confusion over the availability of Irish Under-21 players this weekend was cleared up yesterday when the the IRFU said squad players are available for club selection.

An IRFU spokesman, however, statedthere had been a "misunder- standing" and that the underage Ballymena players are available for club selection this weekend.

DEATH OF ROY SAUNDERS: The death took place yesterday of Roy Saunders, a man who rendered outstanding service to the Dungannon club as player and administrator and to Ulster and Irish rugby in his capacity as a provincial and national selector. He was 74 and had borne a long and debilitating illness with immense fortitude.

An Irish selector in 1976-78, he was president of Dungannon in 1978-79. He is survived by his wife, Jean, sons Philip and Brian, and daughter Rosalind.