The Irish Schoolboys rugby team secured their fourth victory of their tour to Australia when they beat a strong New South Wales Combined High Schools side 27 - 22 at Eastwood RFC in Sydney.
Ireland went ahead one minute into the game following good work from the backs, which saw left wing Fionn Carr go over for an unconverted try in the corner to give Ireland a 5-0 lead. Shortly after the re-start No 8 David
Pollock injured a shoulder and was replaced by Devin Toner.
New South Wales leveled the score after 12 minutes with an unconverted try after pressure on the Irish line and could have taken the lead on 22 minutes after Ireland infringed at the lineout, but the penalty attempt sailed wide.
On 26 minutes, New South Wales countered from deep inside their own 22 after Ireland lost possession and scored a converted try to give them a 12-5 lead.
The Irish boys immediately responded on 28 minutes after a driving maul from a lineout. Darren O'Reilly got the touchdown to cut the deficit to 12-10. On 35 minutes flanker Michael Essex put Ireland in the lead by 15-12 when he
scored an unconverted try.
In the second half both sides made tactical substitutions with Ireland bringing on Duncan Williams, Conor Guildea, Peter Shallow, Gary Walsh, Barry O' Mahony and Gary Mitchell.
Thirty minutes into the second half, centre Darren Cave increased the Irish lead with a fine individual try to give the Irish boys a 20-12 lead.However, the New South Wales team was not to be outdone and they immediately replied with a well taken try to bring the score to 20-17 in Ireland's favour.
On 34 minutes flanker Barry O'Mahony extended Ireland's lead when he scored a try, which was converted by Conor Guildea to put Ireland 27-17 in front. Late in the game the hosts scored an unconverted try, but Ireland held on to
win by 27-22 in a tough uncompromising game.
The victory follows wins against NSW Country Schools (78-0) in their first tour game, Queensland Schools' President's XV (30-19) and Queensland Schools (24-11). These wins continue as part of the build up to the key test match against Australia Schools on August 26th.
The team that played against NSW Combined High Schools on Wednesday, 11th August 2004 was as follows:
15. Robert Kearney (Clongowes)
14. Rory Drysdale (Belfast Royal Academy)
13. Darren Cave (Sullivan Upper School)
12. Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary's College)
11. Fionn Carr (Newbridge College)
10. Conan Doyle (Ard Scoil Ris)
9. Joe Burns (Coleraine A.I.)
1. Darragh Hurley (CBC Cork)
2. Gavin O'Meara (St. Mary's College)
3. Paul Collins (Templeogue College)
4. Darren O'Reilly (Blackrock College)
5. Billy Holland (CBC Cork)
6. Diarmuid Laffan (Blackrock College) Captain
7. Michael Essex (CBC Cork)
8. David Pollock (Royal School Dungannon)
Replacements chosen from:
Peter Shallow (Rockwell College)
Duncan Williams (CBC Cork)
Jonathan Shortt (CBC Cork)
Conor Guildea (Terenure College)
Gary Walsh (Blackrock College)
Sean Cronin (Ard Scoil Ris)
Gary Mitchell (Royal Belfast A.I.)
Devin Toner (Castlenock College)
Barry O'Mahony (Crescent College)
Not considered due to injury: Jamie Cornett (Royal School Armagh), Tom
Gleeson (PBC Cork).
Match schedule:
Ireland V New South Wales: Sunday, August 15th (Sydney)
Ireland V Australia 'A': Sunday, August 22nd (Sydney)
Ireland V Australia: Thursday, August 26th (Canberra)
Management:
Peter Melia (Coach), Keith Patton (Assistant Coach), Barney McGonigle (Manager), David Eakin (Assistant Manager), Roger Wilson (Doctor), David Lyons (Physiotherapist)