Double delight as Mayo duo help Ireland to pivotal World Cup win

There was double Mayo delight this morning when Ireland beat Australia in a rain-soaked U-20 World Cup match in South Africa. Geesala's Fiachna Barrett and Harry West from Ballina danced with joy in Paarl, outside Cape Town when a last-gasp try from Leinster's Diarmuid Mangan secured a bonus-point win and left Ireland in a great position heading into the last round of group games next Tuesday.

Barrett and West came off the bench in the final quarter to help Ireland finish strongly, securing the win and then pounding the Australian line in search of the bonus-point which may have huge implications when semi-final places are up for grabs.

Both Barrett and West came through the ranks at Ballina RFC and there was great joy by the Moy this morning as coaches, players and officials gathered to watch two of their own on the global stage.

“We're so proud,” Ballina RFC chairman, Alan Rowe told The Mayo News. “These two young men first wore the green of Ballina in an U-7 blitz in Westport 13 seasons ago and today they wore another green jersey together as Ireland beat Australia in South Africa. It's a special day for the two lads, their families and all the coaches here in the club who helped them all through the ranks. Now, we're all looking forward to Tuesday's game against Fiji,” he added.