Offaly man makes impressive double try scoring debut in World U20 Rugby Championships opener
Farrell got crucial tries at start of each half
AN Offaly man took full advantage of his chance when scoring two crucial tries in Ireland's World U20 Championship opener in Italy on Sunday evening.
Playing on the wing, the Mountlucas (a townland located between Daingean and Edenderry) man got over for a try in each half as Ireland beat Georgia by 35-28.
He got his first try after just seventy seconds following a powerful Irish surge. Ahead 18-14 at the break, Farrell repeated the dose with another crucial try early in the second half, touching down in the right corner.
Paidi Farrell, a former underage player with Tullamore Rugby Club, had been selected on the wing for his first tournament start – two of his brothers are playing with Tullamore while another is with Sydney Irish in Australia..
Ireland now follow up with Italy on Friday, July 4 in Viadana and New Zealand back in Calvisano on Wednesday, July 9 – New Zealand had a 14-5 win over Italy.
Farrell was replaced after 64 minutes but will be delighted with his try scoring performance - Ireland came into the World Cup on the back of a difficult Six Nations campaign, losing four of their five games and finishing bottom.
Now playing with Old Wesley, Farrell has made a very positive impact in recent weeks and scored nine tries in thirteen games for them this season.
Ireland will be fully aware of the threat posed by Georgia and it took a last gasp try to secure a 22-16 win over them in the 2024 pool stages.
The Irish team was:
15. Charlie Molony (UCD RFC/Leinster)
14. Paidi Farrell (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
13. Ciarán Mangan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
12. Eoghan Smyth (Cork Constitution FC/Munster)
11. Derry Moloney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
10. Tom Wood (Garryowen FC/Munster)
9. Clark Logan (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
1. Billy Bohan (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
2. Henry Walker (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
3. Alex Mullan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
4. Mahon Ronan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
5. Billy Corrigan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
6. Michael Foy (UCC RFC/Munster)
7. Éanna McCarthy (Galwegians RFC/Connacht) (capt)
8. Luke Murphy (Young Munster RFC/Munster)