ESBI ventures into international rugby sponsorship
ESB International is sponsoring Ireland's three home fixtures in this season's Under-21 Six Nations Championships. To date Ireland has played three games in the championship having beaten Italy but suffered defeat at the hands of France and Wales.
This is ESBI's first venture into international rugby sponsorship. The All Ireland appeal of rugby compliments the company's business portfolio encompassing the entire island.
The IRFU decided to stage all three home games in the one venue this year, namely Dubarry Park in Athlone and it's a decision that has paid off in spades as there have been big, vociferous crowds for the two games already played there.
The Irish opened their campaign on Friday February 3rd with a comprehensive five-try 34-9 victory over a battling Italian side.
Ireland led 20-6 at half time with full back Fionn Carr, scrum half Paul Marshall and left winger Matthew Williams scoring tries to which out half Jonathan Sexton added a conversion and penalty goal.
Solid defensive work in the second half kept the visitors at bay and limited them to a penalty goal from fly half Gabriele Brussolo, adding to the two he kicked in the opening period.
Two fourth quarter tries from outside centre Darren Cave and hooker Stuart Philpott, converted by Sexton and inside centre Conan Doyle cemented the home win.
The large crowd in attendance were rewarded with a highly entertaining game, proving rugby is alive and kicking in the regions.
A week later in Strasbourg Ireland lost to France in an errorridden performance where a Sexton penalty goal and a penalty try also converted by the out half were all Ireland had to show as they conceded four tries, all from turnover ball.
Next up were the defending champions Wales in Dubarry Park on Friday February 24th and again a large crowd turned up to witness what was a brave rearguard effort ESBI ventures into international rugby sponsorship by the Irish that fell a point short as the visitors won 14-13.
The game was characterised by a strong Welsh pack and good Irish defending.
In the first half Ireland could only muster two penalty goals by out half Conan Doyle, these in reply to a try from lock Alan Wyn Jones, converted from the touchline by fly half James Hook. After the break with Ireland trailing 7-6 the home side defended well and didn't concede any kickable penalties that would have seen the Welsh ease clear. Any thoughts of a home win evaporated when Hook broke down the left in the final minute of normal time to score a try and his conversion made it 14-6
Ireland to their credit never gave up and were rewarded in stoppage when Cave made the incisive thrust into the Welsh 22 before offloading to Carr who scored to the right of the posts with Sexton adding the extra points with the last kick of the game.
Ireland's next game is their final home game in Athlone where they take on Scotland on Friday March 10th, with the final game of the championship away to England.
That however is not the end of their season as they travel to France in June for the Under-21 Rugby World Cup.
