Sport

Kermath sets up Irish victory

A contribution of 13 points from full back John Kermath helped Ireland gain victory over Italy in the youth international at …

Mon Mar 18 2002 - 00:00

A contribution of 13 points from full back John Kermath helped Ireland gain victory over Italy in the youth international at the Galway Sportsground on Saturday.

Ireland opened their account after a minute with a close-range penalty from Kermath. This score was cancelled out when openside flanker Nicola Pavin levelled matters.

Two further penalties from Kermath before the first quarter had concluded made it 9-3 but Pavin was on target again after 20 minutes from 35 metres.

Ireland scored a vital try before the interval when flanker Oisin Hennessy touched down on the left. Kermath converted.

READ MORE

Deep into injury time, Pavin landed a third penalty to leave the interval score 16-9.

Ireland's second try arrived on 56 minutes when right winger Stephen Carey went over on the right. Kermath added the points.

Near the finish, Ireland were awarded a penalty try, which replacement Paddy O'Toole converted.

IRELAND YOUTH: J Kermath (Boyne); S Carey (Nenagh Ormond), C Crawford (Banbridge), B O'Donnell (UL Bohemians), J Harney (Clonmel); D Bryan (Exiles), R Pollock (Monaghan); M Black (Portadown), F Leonard (Corinthians) capt, R Loughney (Corinthians), S Hennessy (Co Carlow), L Sullivan (Killarney. C O'Connor (Cashel), T Ryan (Highfield), O Hennessy (Monaghan). Replacements: - P Gill (Exiles) for Pollock (46 mins), D O'Reilly (Galwegians) for Crawford (63 mins), P O'Toole (Galwegians) for Kermath (inj 68 mins); E Bracken (Tullamore) for Black (69 mins), P Currie (Portadown) for Leonard (69 mins); A Friel (Exiles) for Loughney (69 mins), T Doran (Exiles) for Ryan (69 mins).

ITALIAN YOUTH: R Napoli; D Constantine, M Pratichetti, M Rosa, R Mariani; G Rebecchini, G Toniolatti; L Milani, T Ragazzi, G Cerqua, F della Ceca (capt), G Manozzi, L Ghilardini, A Sacca, N Pavin. Replacements: A Battisti for Sacca (46 mins); C Cerasoli for Ragazzi (46 mins)

Referee: N Bollard (WRAU).

Keith Wood, watched by Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan, came through his comeback match for Harlequins against Newcastle on Saturday. The hooker played the full 80 minutes and won praise from Harlequins chief executive Mark Evans for his inspirational qualities in the club's 31-19 victory.