Birr native plays key role at Junior World Cup

BIRR’s Peter Dooley came agonisingly close to helping Ireland pull off a massive shock at the Junior World Cup in France yesterday.

Having already defeated Australia and Fiji in their group, Ireland were gallant losers against the powerful New Zealand side on Thursday in Vannes (31-26). Eighteen year-old Dooley, a member of the Lansdowne club in Dublin, recently signed up with the Leinster Academy and the front row Offaly teenager looks to have a very bright future in the game.

Ireland will now play France as four teams battle it out to finish in the places between fifth and eighth. The other three contenders in the fifth to eighth place play-offs are Australia and Argentina. New Zealand will play England in the semi-finals while South Africa and Wales make up the final four.