IRELAND has shrugged of a gallant South Africa to keep its hopes of back-to-back International Cup titles alive.
"One the road to the MCG" the Irish players sing as part of their team song and the words were never truer then when the group gathered after their semi-final win.
The Warriors will once again play PNG in the decider at the MCG on Saturday, a repeat of the see-sawing grand final from three years ago.
It took until the dying minutes for Ireland to finally over power the Lions in an exhausting second semi final.
Padraig Lucey, as he has all tournament starred up forward, booting two goals and providing a target for his tireless midfield brigade.
Key tall Dominic Joyce was also instrumental, as was captain Mick Finn and Paul O’Halloran with their height advantage telling in the win.
South Africa was well served by Asanda Funda and Sivuyile Pani but it was the work of TJ Moagi that once again stood out. Moagi was superb as the Lions rallied in the second half, a charge ultimately shot down by their own ill-discipline.
An off the ball incident and a resulting red card saw the Lions finish the match one man down and unable to mount any serious challenge.
It was more a relief than elation at the final siren for the Irish, a fact captain Finn said was more to do with the nature of the match.
“It was a lot of hard work but we’re where we want to be,” he said.
“We didn’t get together until a just a few days before the tournament so we’ve been slowly improving every match.”
“It was a bit of an arm wrestle and South Africa were very tough and played third man up a lot of the time to nullify our height.
It’s a great feeling to know we have a shot at another title and if you’re going to play what better place than to play at the G.”
Ireland: 0.0 4.1 5.3 8.5 (53)
South Africa: 0.0 1.3 4.4 4.4 (28)
Goals
Ireland: Lucey 2, Stynes 2, Finn, Joyce, O’Halloran, Geraghty
South Africa: Mongia, Sokoyi, Moshoeshoe, Sobetwa
Best
Ireland: Lucey, Joyce, McKloskey, Fanning, McElhorne, Stynes
South Africa: Funda, Pani, Phakedi, Mkhize, T.J Moagi, Moshoeshoe
