Ireland's World Cup Sevens campaign was brought to an end in Hong Kong this morning by a last-minute Samoan try.
Gaolo Elisara breached the Irish cover just seconds from the final hooter of the Plate competition quarter-final to seal a 19-14 win for Samoa and send Ryan Constable's side packing.
Elisara was also on target in a first half which the Irish edged 14-12 thanks to tries from skipper Ian Humphreys and a first of the tournament for Ballymena's Michael McComish.
However, Elisara erased that lead in the closing stages, with too litle time for Constable's side to hit back.
But, with two wins from six matches, former Ulster centre Constable was overall satisfied his side's showing.
"It was another credible performance against what is a very quick Samoan side," admitted Constable of his World Cup first-timers.
"I've said it before - Sevens is a game of very small margins. You win and you're in - you don't, you're out so we had a lapse at the end and that's the deciding factor.
"We've had some very good individual performers over the past three days though so it's encouraging for the future.
"We'll look to build on what we've learnt as a squad from the Hong Kong experience. The players were a little awestruck at first but they're good footballers and I'm pleased to have got this far," he added.
Samoa went on to claim the Plate title - beating Europe's number one side Portugal 29-7.
