Ireland's Luke Murphy, Derry Moloney and Conor Kennelly dejected at full time. Sebastiano Pessina/INPHO

Late heartbreak as Ireland fall short to Italy at World Rugby U20 Championship

Neil Doak’s side beaten 18-16 in Viadana.

Italy 18

Ireland 16

IRELAND SUFFERED LATE heartbreak at the World Rugby U20 Championship this evening, falling just short to hosts Italy in Viadana.

An 80th-minute try from Oisín Minogue gave Ireland an opportunity to level matters at the death, but replacement Sam Wisniewski missed the conversion attempt.

Neil Doak’s side opened their campaign with a 35-28 win over Georgia, but couldn’t follow up with a second victory in sweltering heat.

Italy led throughout the game, with Nelson Casartelli scoring the first try in the 12th minute. Tom Wood got Ireland up and running with a penalty in the 24th minute, but Italy struck back through Edoardo Todaro to make it 8-3 at half time.

Wood kicked Ireland within two shortly after the restart, but Piero Gritti scored Italy’s second try in the 59th minute. It was converted by Todaro, 13-6.

Italy were reduced to 14 following a yellow card just after the hour-mark, and Ireland immediately capitalised with Mikey Yarr — who later went off with a nasty injury — dotting down. Wisniewski couldn’t add the extras.

After Ireland lost Billy Corrigan to the sin-bin, Todaro gave Italy some breathing space with a 71st minute penalty making it 18-11. Doak’s youngsters fought back, but fell agonisingly close in a grandstand finish.

Ireland must now pick themselves up to face New Zealand in their final pool game. New Zealand beat Georgia 38-19 today, having defeated Itay 14-5 in their opener. 

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