The Ireland Development XV beat Samoa 23-18 at Donnybrook this afternoon. The Irish side led at half-time by 8-3 after a first-half try by Andy Dunne but Samoa hit back with two early second-half tries from Leupolu and Vaega to push the visitors ahead 18-8.
But the home side showed raw reserves of courage and took the game to their opponents. Des Clohessy claimed Ireland’s second try in the 61th minute when Mick O’Driscoll won a line-out ball and the Irish pack drove Samoa back from to the 22 to score in the corner.
Ireland’s five-point deficit was closed when Sheldon Coulter finished off a move to score near the posts. Killian Keane landed the conversion and a late penalty to seal a fully deserved victory for the Irish.
Today’s AIB League Division One results:
Cork Con 9-29 DSLP
Shannon 19-25 Blackrock College
Young Munster 13-32 Terenure College
Lansdowne 10-13 Garryowen
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
