Cillian is vice captain on winning U20s
SLIGO’S Cillian Gallagher was part of the Ireland U20s who left it late to overcome opponents Scotland in their RBS Six Nations Championship on Friday night.
Flanker Cillian, who was also part of Nigel Carolan’s squad last year, is taking on the role of vice captain this season and the Connacht player is relishing the championship.
Ireland struck for a match- winning try seven minutes from time to get their U- 20 campaign off to a winning start.
But then the Scots blew a chance to win it two minutes from time but missed a penalty and Ireland held on for what is only their second ever win in Scotland in the Six Nations.
Flanker Paul Boyle was the late try- scoring hero for Ireland as they completed the double over Scotland, having earlier won the women’s encounter with a late try.
Ireland were chasing the game from the outset as Scotland, with eight survivors from last season, got an early grip at Broadwood Stadium.
The Scots, with an impressive pack, hit the front after eight minutes when a penalty to the left corner yielded the opening try. Ireland did well to defend three closerange drives but when scrum- half Andrew Simmers popped it out, centre Cameron Hutchison timed his run to perfection to crash over. Josh Henderson added the extras to make it 7- 0 but with tighthead Peter Cooper, lock Fineen Wycherley and flanker Cillian Gallagher, a survivor from last year, making an impact, Nigel Carolan’s men got back in the game.
Johnny McPhillips, the only other member of last year’s squad which reached the U- 20 World Championship final, slotted a couple of penalties to make it 7- 6 at the end of the opening quarter.
However, Scotland picked it up again and two more penalties from Henderson made it 13- 6 at the interval. Ireland hit back after the restart and were rewarded by going to the corner with a penalty just four minutes in.
Lock Oisin Dowling collected the throw, Ireland got the drive on and hooker Tadhg McElroy peeled around to score.
The conversion from McPhillips tied the match at 13- 13. But two more penalties from Henderson saw Scotland take a 19- 13 lead into the final quarter with the wind at their backs.
But then seven minutes from time Ireland got in for a superb forwards try, mauling their way from 35 metres out on the right through about a dozen phases before flanker Paul Boyle managed to get over.
McPhillips added the conversion to edge Ireland 20- 19 in front going into the closing stages.
Then Scotland had a chance to win it but Henderson missed the target from 42 metres after Irish hooker McElroy was pinged for not rolling away.