Conor shines as Ireland eclipse hosts in World U20s

Against all the odds and expectations, Ireland's heroic U20 rugby squad opened their bid for world glory in the most emphatic of fashions in South Africa on Monday evening.In a wonderful display of determined and focused play Mike Ruddock's charges overcame the home side 23-19, with Mullingar's Conor Gilsenan very much in the vanguard.Elsewhere, there was more good news on the athletic front with sterling performances at home and abroad.International sprinter, Steven Colvert eased ever closer to the Olympic standard when competing in an invitational meet in Geneva. Steven who runs with Crusaders AC in the capital city, recorded a personal best in the 200 metres, stopping the clock in 20.69.Steven has produced some electric performances all season and is now just 0.7 of a second away from the Olympic standard.Staying with athletics, Westmeath's rising stars were in splendid form at the Irish Schools Track and Field Championships in Tullamore at the weekend.Classic performances from middle distance runners, Shane Fitzsimons and Kilbeggan based Linda Conroy, both members of Mullingar Harriers, earned them coveted national titles and not to be outdone, North Westmeath athletes, Paul Collins and Eoin Sheridan picked up fantastic double golds in their respective shot putt and discus competitions.On the hurling front there was an outstanding performance from another teenage star in the making.Castletown-Geoghegan clubman, Niall O'Brien, belied his tender years when scoring the handsome tally of 2-7 for Westmeath senior hurlers in their ten point Leinster SHC defeat to Galway in Cusack Park on Sunday last.However, it was Conor Gilsenan's brilliance in Ireland's defeat of South Africa in Stellensbosch on Monday evening which captured the headlines.Conor was part of a truly wonderful back row which was the launch pad for this historic victory.The Mullingar flanker, who was watched by his mother, Joan, was as busy as a bee throughout the 80 minutes and made telling contributions to the Irish cause, none more so than this first half block down of a Tony Jantjies kick.The ball bounced kindly for the Irish and Jordan Coughlan raced clear to score under the uprights.The conversion by JJ Hanrahan saw Ireland enjoy a comfortable 13-3 interval lead and while South Africa came back strongly after the break, Mike Ruddock's charges held on for a 23-19 victory.