Ireland - 0 Samoa - 22Ireland battled bravely but were battered into submission by the sheer physical power of the Samoans in last night's women's World Cup match in Barcelona.
The great Fiona Steed had her 50th cap tarnished by a ridiculously harsh yellow card just before the interval for a minor technical infringement, but again led by magnificent example throughout.
Three incredible tackles in the space of a couple of minutes on either side of the pitch towards the end summed up just why the Shannon star with the huge heart and great engine has achieved so much more than anyone else in the history of Irish women's rugby.
Steed wasn't alone, however, in the Irish bravery stakes and fellow flanker Bridget Montgomery had an excellent game before going off injured, while Shannon loosehead Jean Lonergan always took the ball back at the Samoans with relish.
The South Sea islanders, mainly through their enormous props and hugely imposing number 10, repeatedly punched holes up the middle, but Irish courage and their own lack of clinical efficiency prevented them taking full advantage.
It was 15-0 at the break, and the big outhalf ploughing over straight after Steed's sin-binning to take the game out of reach of an Irish team which had their moments in the opening 40 minutes but have now gone seven internationals without a try.
IRELAND: SJ Belton; R Boyd, P Kelly, N Milne, S Fleming (capt); R Howell, K Eagleson; J Lonergan, M Coulter, E Coen, A-M McAllister, M Quirke, B Montgomery, M O'Loughlin, F Steed. Replacements: R Reid for Montgomery, R Tucker for Boyd, L Cantwell for Howell.
