CAPTAIN Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemian) was among the try scorers as Ireland squeezed past Italy, 23-22, in their Under-20 Six Nations tussle in Cork.
Fellow Munster men Ben O’Connor and replacement Seán Edogbo (74th minute) were Ireland’s other scorers in a contest that looked for a while the visitors would cause a massive upset.
Jack Murphy, star of the opening round win in France, kicked the other points, through a conversion and a couple of penalties, for the home team.
England, who already beat Italy by 25 points, lead the Championship.
Ireland: Ben O’Connor; Finn Treacy, Wilhelm de Klerk, Hugh Gavin, Hugo McLaughlin (Ethan Graham 67); Jack Murphy (Seán Naughton 67), Oliver Coffey (Tadhg Brophy 65); Alex Usanov (Ben Howard 62), Stephen Smyth (Danny Sheahan 51), Jacob Boyd (Patreece Bell 51); Alan Spicer (Billy Corrigan 51), Evan O’Connell; Joe Hopes, Bryn Ward, Luke Murphy (Seán Edogbo 62).
