An Irish underage rugby team who took on the might of teams from France and New Zealand at a mini-world cup tournament in France last weekend, say they are delighted with their performance after making the final.
The U-12s from Kinsale Rugby Club beat teams from Switzerland, Monaco and Italy to take on their French hosts Ovaline in the semi-final last Saturday beating them by five tries to one at Maussane-les-Alpilles in Province.
But New Zealand's Te Awamutu Sports junior rugby proved too strong for the Irish side in the final defeating them 5-2.
Kinsale Rugby Club PRO Paul McSherry said the team performed extremely well, especially given the high temperatures.
"We are so delighted the lads got to the final. It was always about proudly representing our club, our town, and our country, and we did that by getting to the very final game of the tournament".
Mr McSherry said there was a fantastic atmosphere at the tournament and for the final game.
"The lads got a guard of honour onto the pitch. You can imagine for the boys it was extremely exciting".
Everyone was hoping to see the Haka but Mr McSherry said the NZ side chose not to perform it before the game because "they can find it emotionally draining and exhausting going into a game".
But when the game finished they insisted on doing it, he said, as a mark of respect.
"We were deeply touched, there wasn't a dry eye".
The tournament consisted of eight U-12 teams - children born between 2011 and 2013 - from clubs based in England, France, Italy, Ireland, Monaco, New Zealand, Spain and Switzerland.
The international tournament was organised by the Ovalive Club des Alpilles in celebration of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Mr McSherry said: "The town of Kinsale, and the schools and the businesses, have been hugely supportive to a bunch of guys who never expected to represent their country on a foreign pitch, and perform so well".
