Irish Bowe Their Seeds

Nov 23 2008 Paul Worth Reports

Ireland 17 Argentina 3

IRELAND beat the jitters to clinch a top-eight World Cup seeding ahead of Scotland.

Ronan O'Gara kicked 12 points in a match lacking quality as Argentina put up a stubborn fight at Croke Park.

The match was on a knife-edge until Tommy Bowe's late try sent the Dublin fans home happy.

It was a tense affair throughout and O'Gara and Santiago Fernandez missed their first efforts on goal before trading penalties.

O'Gara kicked the Irish ahead then fluffed his second penalty in the 61st minute.

Adrop goal from O'Gara sailed over at the third attempt before a penalty battered the bar.

Another O'Gara penalty sealed the Pumas' fate after 75 minutes.

There was still time for Bowe to cross the line after gathering O'Gara's boot forward.