KEVIN HARTIGAN, the St Munchin's College centre, scored a hat trick of tries as the Ireland Schools swept to the seventh successive win of their Australian tour when they demolished Victoria Schools at Scotch College in Melbourne yesterday.
The Belfast High School wing Jonathan Davis, added to his tour collection with two more tries, while Ronan O'Donovan, David Johnston, Peter Smyth, Cormac Dowling and skipper Barry Gibney all crossed once to complete the 10 try rout. Out half Brian O'Mahony contributed four conversions and a penalty goal.
Ireland scored after only three minutes when O'Donovan got over for an unconverted try. The tourists led by 23-0 at half time, and then piled on a further 38 points without reply in the second period.
"This was an excellent win after the tour break," said manager Gerry Kelly. "Our aim was to run as much ball as possible, and the team scored some really superb tries."
The penultimate game of the tour will be played on Saturday at Wagga Wagga, when Ireland's opponents will be New South Wales Country Schools.
