The Ireland national rugby union team toured Japan in summer 1985, playing five matches, including two against the Japan national team. The IRFU did not initially award caps for these internationals. The Ciaran Fitzgerald-led side earned a 48–13 victory in the first clash in Osaka, with winger Trevor Ringland scoring three tries. In the second tie at Tokyo's Chichibu ground, Michael Kiernan scored two tries as the Irish came from being level-pegging at 12–12 at half-time, to leading 33–15 with a second half spurt by the final whistle .www.irishrugby.ie
Matches Scores and results list Ireland's points tally first. Opposing Team For Against Date VenueEast Japan XV 42 15 19 May 1985 MoriokaJapan B 34 10 21 May 1985 SendaiJapan 48 13 26 May 1985 Hanazono Field, OsakaWest Japan XV 44 13 29 May 1985 NagoyaJapan 33 15 2 June 1985 Chichibunomiya Stadium, Tokyo
Touring party Source:
Manager: Des McKibbin Assistant Manager: Mick Doyle Medical Officer: J. Gallagher Captain: Ciaran Fitzgerald (St Mary's College)
Backs Philip Rainey (Ballymena) Hugo MacNeill (Oxford U, London Irish) Trevor Ringland (Ballymena) Keith Crossan (Instonians) Mike Kiernan (Lansdowne, Dolphin) Brendan Mullin (Dublin U) Moss Finn (Cork Con) Terry McMaster (Bangor) J. Hewitt (NIFC) joined tour as replacement Paul Dean (St Mary’s Coll) Ralph Keyes (Cork Con) Michael Bradley (Cork Con) R. Brady (Ballymena)
Forwards Paul Kennedy (London Irish) Mick Fitzpatrick (Wanderers) J. J. McCoy (Dungannon) Philip Orr (Old Wesley) Ciaran Fitzgerald (St Mary’s Coll) Harry Harbison (Bective Rangers) Brian McCall (London Irish) Willie Anderson (Dungannon) Donal Lenihan (Cork Con) Nigel Carr (Ards) Phillip Matthews (Ards) Brian Spillane (Bohemians) Paddy Kenny (Wanderers) Paul Collins (Highfield)
References