Tom Tierney’s side leaked seven tries across and their lines were penetrated a number of times throughout as they continue to blood in players ahead of the Six Nations and World Cup tournaments next year.
Aside from shipping a lot of pressure and some poor handling errors, Ireland took away some positives, including a strong defensive display from Alison Miller and Mairead Coyne in the first half.
The first half was one in which Ireland spent much of the time defending in their own half against an impressive Canada attack.
The visitors applied the pressure from the kick-off and were awarded a scrum after some poor handling resulted in a knock-on which Ireland were guilty of on numerous occasions in the opening period.
Canada dominated throughout the game. Tommy Dickson / INPHO
Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO
After some early pressure, Ireland were awarded a scrum of their own but Canada were stronger in that department throughout the encounter.
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From that, Laura Russell and Karen Paquin combined to break for Canada but Alison Miller intervened to snuff out the challenge. Canada then switched the play over to the other wing, stretching the Irish defence before transitioning into the maul and securing another scrum.
The hosts held their defences for six minutes before Canada broke through for their first try of the game with Latoya Blackwood touching down to allow Andrea Burk add the conversion
The number three ranked team in the world pressed again shortly after the restart but Ireland’s Mairead Coyne smothered the possession. Coyne’s assistance was required again moments later when Andrea Burk and Magali Harvey advanced in search of another try after breaking through a pocket of space in the Ireland cover.
Andrea Burk added a penalty to extend their lead after forcing Ireland to crumble in the scrum before Julianne Zussman darted through to grab a second try on the half-hour mark.
Sene Naopu broke through the Canada defensive line on 36 mins to inject some life back into the Irish attack but was hauled down at the half-way line. Despite the fact that Ireland came away from the attack short-changed, it indicated a will to fight back from the Irish side.
Canada concluded the half with a third try and a conversion to leave Ireland trailing 22-0 at the break.
Anna Caplice on the attack. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
Ireland started the second half with several changes. Anna Caplice was on the end of some recycled play from a line-out to put Ireland in a position to sniff out a try. Substitute Elaine Anthony added to the attack before crossing over the Canada try line through Nikki Caughey to put Ireland on the scoreboard for the first time. She then converted the try to reduce the deficit to 24-7.
Canada regrouped to initiate some strong phase play and stretched the play across the field. Ireland cleared the ball out only to see their opponents charge back and Emily Belchos used her pace to claim a fourth try for her side.
Ireland were then dealt a blow when Lindsay Peat was issued a yellow card and the setback was almost compounded when Jacey Grusnick offloaded to Magali Harvey near the Ireland 22’ but Ireland defended well.
Kayla Mack got her name on the scoresheet with Canada’s fifth try on 65 minutes and Burk slotted over the conversion with the aid of the post to make it 36-7. That was swiftly followed by their sixth, courtesy of Magali Harvey.
A seventh try looked inevitable after a tiring afternoon, and while Ireland managed to repel them in the final minutes, Julianne Zussman claimed her second try to make it 48-7 before Burk attempted the conversion which she sent just wide of the post.
Ireland have one more Test appearance remaining when they face New Zealand next weekend.
Ireland well beaten by superior Canadian side but can draw positives from second Test
Ireland 7
Canada 48
Sinead Farrell reports from the UCD Bowl
IRELAND SUFFERED A second consecutive defeat today in the November Test series against a far superior Canadian side.
Tom Tierney’s side leaked seven tries across and their lines were penetrated a number of times throughout as they continue to blood in players ahead of the Six Nations and World Cup tournaments next year.
Aside from shipping a lot of pressure and some poor handling errors, Ireland took away some positives, including a strong defensive display from Alison Miller and Mairead Coyne in the first half.
The first half was one in which Ireland spent much of the time defending in their own half against an impressive Canada attack.
The visitors applied the pressure from the kick-off and were awarded a scrum after some poor handling resulted in a knock-on which Ireland were guilty of on numerous occasions in the opening period.
After some early pressure, Ireland were awarded a scrum of their own but Canada were stronger in that department throughout the encounter.
From that, Laura Russell and Karen Paquin combined to break for Canada but Alison Miller intervened to snuff out the challenge. Canada then switched the play over to the other wing, stretching the Irish defence before transitioning into the maul and securing another scrum.
The hosts held their defences for six minutes before Canada broke through for their first try of the game with Latoya Blackwood touching down to allow Andrea Burk add the conversion
The number three ranked team in the world pressed again shortly after the restart but Ireland’s Mairead Coyne smothered the possession. Coyne’s assistance was required again moments later when Andrea Burk and Magali Harvey advanced in search of another try after breaking through a pocket of space in the Ireland cover.
Andrea Burk added a penalty to extend their lead after forcing Ireland to crumble in the scrum before Julianne Zussman darted through to grab a second try on the half-hour mark.
Sene Naopu broke through the Canada defensive line on 36 mins to inject some life back into the Irish attack but was hauled down at the half-way line. Despite the fact that Ireland came away from the attack short-changed, it indicated a will to fight back from the Irish side.
Canada concluded the half with a third try and a conversion to leave Ireland trailing 22-0 at the break.
Ireland started the second half with several changes. Anna Caplice was on the end of some recycled play from a line-out to put Ireland in a position to sniff out a try. Substitute Elaine Anthony added to the attack before crossing over the Canada try line through Nikki Caughey to put Ireland on the scoreboard for the first time. She then converted the try to reduce the deficit to 24-7.
Canada regrouped to initiate some strong phase play and stretched the play across the field. Ireland cleared the ball out only to see their opponents charge back and Emily Belchos used her pace to claim a fourth try for her side.
Ireland were then dealt a blow when Lindsay Peat was issued a yellow card and the setback was almost compounded when Jacey Grusnick offloaded to Magali Harvey near the Ireland 22’ but Ireland defended well.
Kayla Mack got her name on the scoresheet with Canada’s fifth try on 65 minutes and Burk slotted over the conversion with the aid of the post to make it 36-7. That was swiftly followed by their sixth, courtesy of Magali Harvey.
A seventh try looked inevitable after a tiring afternoon, and while Ireland managed to repel them in the final minutes, Julianne Zussman claimed her second try to make it 48-7 before Burk attempted the conversion which she sent just wide of the post.
Ireland have one more Test appearance remaining when they face New Zealand next weekend.
IRELAND: Mairead Coyne (Jackie Shiels 34 mins); Niamh Kavanagh, Nicole Fowley, Sene Naoupu, Alison Miller; Nikki Caughey (Claire McLaughlin HT), Mary Healy (Larissa Muldoon); Fiona Hayes (Lindsay Peat HT), Zoe Grattage (Leah Lyons HT), Fiona Reidy (Ailis Egan HT); Katie Norris (Elaine Anthony HT), Nichola Fyday; Ciara Cooney, Anna Caplice(Fiona Hayes) [Lindsay Peat sinbin]) Paula Fitzpatrick (captain) (Chloe Pearse 64 mins).
Leah Lyons replaced Fiona Hayes after Peat’s sinbin was over.
CANADA: Julianne Zussman; Elissa Alare; Alexandra Tessier (Brittany Waters 73 mins); Andrea Burk Magali Harvey; Emily Belchos (Mackenzie Higgs 57 mins); Chelsea Guthrie (Brianna Miller); Carolyn McEwen (Olivia DeMerchant 70 mins); Laura Russell (G Boag); Daleka Menin (Denmi Stamatakis); Latoya Blackwood (Tyson Beukeboom 51 mins); Kayla Mack; Jacey Grusnick; Karen Paquin (Barbara Mervin 62mins); Kelly Russell (captain)
Referee: Maria leMette
Yellow cards: Lindsay Peat (High challenge 58 mins)
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