IRELAND suffered a heartbreaking 20-18 defeat to Scotland as they saw their World Cup dreams banished, reports Ivan Smyth.
With Clare’s Eimear Considine and Edel McMahon both starting, Ireland led this game by 18-13 heading in to the 80th minute. However, Chloe Rollie scored a try for Scotland before Sarah Law tapped over the conversion against Ireland’s 14 players.
With Italy top of the table heading in to this game, the equation was simple for Ireland beforehand. A bonus point win would see them finish top of the table and qualify for the World Cup.
The girls in green also had the safety net of a place in the repechage qualifying tournament with a second-place finish. A draw would also have meant Ireland finished second place in a group containing Scotland, Italy and Spain.
Considine threatened in attack in the opening half while McMahon looked assured in the back row as Ireland failed to make their forays forward count on the scoreboard. Linda Djougang crossed for Ireland’s opening try and only score of the first half after 20 minutes to give Adam Griggs’ side a 5-0 lead.
Scotland hit back with a penalty before Eimear Considine was forced off for a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) in the 36th minute although the full back was deemed fit to return for the second. Ireland coughed up a try before the break to trail 8-5.
Another Scotland try saw them move eight points clear but Ireland hit back with a Stacey Flood penalty. In the 61st minute, substitute prop Lindsey Peat crashed over to help Ireland lead. A Flood penalty helped Ireland surge 18-13 in front and seemingly on the cusp of keeping their World Cup hopes alive.
However, Scotland’s late try ended Ireland’s dreams of reaching the World Cup in what is a damaging defeat for Irish women’s rugby.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.