Ireland Conquer Eagles in New Jersey

Ireland conquered the Eagles in New Jersey, winning 55-19 today. The final score was reflective of the performances of the two sides. Ireland played the better rugby throughout to underline the Tier 1 vs Tier 2 status.

Ireland quickly got themselves into a lead. A double from Munster veteran Keith Earls in addition to scores from Jacob Stockdale, Niall Scannon and Kieran Marmion gave Ireland a 29-7 half time lead. The Eagles were unable to fight their way back.

The Eagles’ first half points came from a converted try. Crossing was second-rower Nic Civetta. His try was converted by fellow English-based AJ MacGinty. Civetta’s try came from a charge-down. Having charged down a Joey Carbery kick he was able to gather the bounce and go over.

In the second half the Irish were again quick to pounce. Jack Conan’s early try brought Ireland’s total up to 6 before the USA would cancel it out. The Eagles second try was scored by John Quill. Similar to Civetta’s score the try came from charging down a Carbery kick.

A third Eagles’ try followed. Playing for the first time at center Arizonan, Ryan Matyas fooled Irish with a dummy-pass to score the USA’s third and final try.

Ireland hit back with three tries. All three were scored by replacements. James Ryan, Luke McGrath and Simon Zebo each scored once to take Ireland’s try total to eight. It also meant Ireland got past the 50-point mark.

Both countries are to play again next weekend. Ireland will travel to Asia to face Rugby World Cup 2019 hosts, Japan. The USA will play host to Eastern Europeans Georgia at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw.

 

SCORING

USA 19
Tries – N. Civetta (20’), J. Quill (46’), R. Matyas (55’)
Cons – A. MacGinty 2/3 (21’, 47’)

IRELAND 55
Tries – K. Earls 2 (3’, 18’), J. Stockdale (14’), N. Scannell (31’), K. Marmion (35’), J. Conan (44’), J. Ryan (61’), L. McGrath (67’), S. Zebo (74’)
Cons – J. Carbery 2/5 (36’, 45’), G. Ringrose 1/1 (15’), R. Scannell 2/3 (68’, 75’)

 

TEAMS

USA
1 Ben Tarr (17 Joe Taufete’e HT), 2 Peter Malcolm (16 James Hilterbrand HT), 3 Chris Baumann (18 Paddy Ryan 47’), 4 Nate Brakeley, 5 Nick Civetta (19 Matt Jensen 47’), 6 John Quill, 7 Tony Lamborn, 8 David Tameilau (20 Andrew Durutalo HT), 9 Nate Augspurger (capt.), 10 AJ MacGinty, 11 Martin Iosefo (21 Shaun Davies 51’), 12 Marcel Brache (22 Will Magie 28’-36’, 68’), 13 Ryan Matyas, 14 Mike Te’o, 15 Ben Cima (23 Bryce Campbell 61’)

IRELAND
1 Cian Healy (17 David Kilcoyne 51’), 2 Niall Scannell (16 Dave Heffernan 51’), 3 John Ryan (18 Andrew Porter 51’), 4 Quinn Roux (19 James Ryan 61’), 5 Devin Toner, 6 Rhys Ruddock (capt.), 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Jack Conan (20 Dan Leavy 71’), 9 Kieran Marmion (21 Luke McGrath 61’), 10 Joey Carbery (23 Simon Zebo 51’), 11 Jacob Stockdale, 12 Luke Marshall (22 Rory Scannell HT), 13 Garry Ringrose, 14 Keith Earls, 15 Tiernan O’Halloran

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
Assistants: Federico Anselmi (UAR) & Chris Assmus (RC)
TMO: Neil Paterson (SRU)

 

Attendance: 22,370