Paul O’Connell took the lead for the first time as an interim coach, with Andy Farrell and various Ireland players on Lions Duty; View every match of 2025 Lions Tour, including all three tests against Australia, Live on Sky Sports
Last updated: 05/07/25 9:01 pm
Captain Craig Casey in Ireland congratulates Tommy O’Brien (right) after his debut with two try
A first half of debutant Tommy O’Brien helped Ireland to register an impressive 34-5 victory over Georgia in Tbilisi.
Ireland was without head coach Andy Farrell and an abundance of players because of British and Irish lion obligations, but showed their strength in depth with an insured representation at a soaked pitch.
O’Brien ran twice about the opening changes before Craig Casey marked his Captainincy debut with a great attempt at the start of the second period.
Nick Timoney closed the scoring, while Sam Prendergast added 14 points during a error -free kick display under Interim -Baas Paul O’Connell.
Former Ireland U20 captain O’Brien only needed two minutes to get off the stamp when he held the stairs of Prendermast and hit the posts next to the posts.
The successful conversion of Prendergast was quickly followed by a second score for Ireland in the eighth minute. It was the same combination again when Prendermast sent the ball over the top and O’Brien crossed in the right corner.
Jamie Osborne van Ireland is tackled by Beka Saghinadze from Georgia
After Prendergast had added the extras to make the score on 14-0, Georgia mounted a reaction, in which angry the TMO decision followed not to allow AKA Tabutsadze’s excellent solo efforts.
The TMO was again needed to exclude an attempt from Prendermast before Ireland ended up half on a sour note. Jacob Stockdale was forced to leave the field after an injury on his left arm and Georgia, when the scoreboard ended up.
The hosts continued to investigate the Irish defense and broke through thanks to Tornike Jalagonia in the corner. It was a bad end to a professional half, but interim captain Casey stepped up after the break and stormed within 60 seconds after he was combined with Ryan Baird to mark his first game with the bracelet with an attempt.
Another Prendergast conversion was followed by two penalties when Ireland set a 22-point benefit through the center point of the second half.
O’Connell started to shake his pack when the seconds left in the middle of heavy rain, with Tom Ahern and Jack Aungier for debut.
It was followed by a fourth attempt for Ireland when Timoney collected a bouncing kick to bundle despite the presence of two Georgian players.
After the TMO had to intervene, it was finally awarded and Prendergast landed a nice kick from the touchline to end with a 14-point trek on a successful evening for the improvised team of Ireland.
Sky Sports will excluding the 2025 British and Irish Lions Tour through Australia, with all three tests against the Wallabies and six warm-up competitions to be shown exclusively live
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