Ireland holds out Pumas 22-19 for relieving win in Dublin

DUBLIN (AP) — Ireland survived a thrilling comeback from Argentina to hold on for a relieving 22-19 win in a gritty autumn rugby test on Friday.

Ireland led by a deserved 22-9 after a frantic first half but the Pumas underlined their reputation as a second half team by closing to within three with a half-hour to go.

While Ireland conceded another swag of penalties for a second straight test, it was the Pumas' own indiscipline which cost them an historic first win in Dublin.

Prop Francisco Gomez Kodela was yellow-carded with five minutes to go, and his body was missed as the Pumas pushed the Irish back to five meters from their try-line until a knock-on in a ruck in front of the posts ended the game two minutes into injury time.

Ireland won but it wasn't the convincing statement it wanted to make after the Six Nations champion was stunned by New Zealand last week, losing its four-year winning streak at home and the No. 1 ranking.

“Glad we got the win,” Ireland coach Andy Farrell told broadcaster TNT Sport. “Last week we could have won ugly but we didn't. This week we did.”

Irish indiscipline was a major issue again — 13 penalties conceded in consecutive tests — and offset by brilliant defense to limit the Pumas to one try and keep them out at the gripping end of both halves.

Irish celebrations were muted while the Pumas despaired. They hadn't finished this close in Dublin in 20 years.

The team which has beaten South Africa, New Zealand, France and Australia since July suffered in a madcap start.

Under pressure from a chargedown and missed touchfinder in the first minute, Argentina scored in the third through center Matias Moroni. But the try was disallowed because of Moroni's head-on-head tackle of flyhalf Jack Crowley.

While Moroni was in the sin-bin, Crowley punched the ball in for his first test try.

Irish center Garry Ringrose then recovered a dropped pass and broke into space, and Tadhg Beirne gave wing Mack Hansen a try in the sixth minute for 12-0.

Beirne then had a try scratched off when he lost control over the line in a three-man tackle.

Around the time Irish prop Finlay Bealham was yellow-carded for a crocodile roll, Tomas Albornoz was kicking the Pumas back in touch.

Crowley's 40-meter drop goal put Argentina at arm's length and lock Joe McCarthy's converted try put Ireland up 22-9 eight minutes from the break.

But what an eight minutes. Argentina snubbed penalty kicks for lineouts and a tapped penalty in search of the try to stay in the game. But the Pumas were held up over the line, a crosskick bounced unkindly, and at the third attempt, ruck ball was stolen in front of the posts.

Ireland went to the changing rooms bolstered, but within five minutes the Pumas claimed their try, a cracking solo effort by fullback Juan Cruz Mallia past three defenders from nearly 40 meters out.

Albornoz converted then added a fourth penalty when referee Paul Williams' patience with Ireland ran out. McCarthy, blatantly offside, was yellow-carded for Ireland's ninth penalty in 50 minutes.

Ireland has conceded yellow cards in eight of its nine tests this year.

“It's something we need to keep addressing,” Farrell said. “They are trying to do the right thing for the team and they are trying to make a difference. Sometimes that spills over the edge. We need to show a little bit more patience and trust what's going on.”

As Ireland struggled to deliver a killer blow, the packed crowd applauded the departure of Crowley for a try, two conversions, a drop goal and a better showing than against the All Blacks. They also rose again for the arrival of prop Cian Healy, whose 133rd test equalled the Irish record of Brian O'Driscoll.

Healy debuted in 2009. Gomez Kodela debuted in 2008. The 40-year-old Pumas prop was sin-binned for a reckless clearout of Irish captain Caelan Doris and his heft was sorely missed by his never-say-die team.

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

Argentina's Guido Petti, top, jumps for the ball during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between Ireland and Argentina, at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Ireland's Tadhg Beirne is tackled by Argentina's Lucio Cinti during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between Ireland and Argentina, at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (Brian Lawless//PA via AP)

Argentina's Juan Cruz Mallia races through to score his side's first try of the game during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between Ireland and Argentina, at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (Brian Lawless//PA via AP)

Argentina's players dejected at the end of the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between Ireland and Argentina, at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Ireland's Jack Crowley, right, scores a try as Argentina's Lucio Cinti tries to defend during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between Ireland and Argentina, at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Ireland's Mack Hansen, right, scires a try during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between Ireland and Argentina, at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Ireland's Tadhg Beirne, right, is tackled by Argentina's Lucio Cinti during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between Ireland and Argentina, at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Argentina's Joaquin Oviedo, centre, is tackled by Ireland's Finlay Bealham, left, during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between Ireland and Argentina, at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A plane with malfunctioning landing gear veered off the runway, hit a fence and caught fire Sunday at an airport in southern South Korea, killing at least 28 people, according to the emergency office and local media.

The emergency office said the fire was almost put out and rescue officials were trying to remove passengers from the Jeju Air passenger plane at the airport in the southern city of Muan. It said the plane with about 180 people was returning from Bangkok.

South Korean media outlets including Yonhap news agency reported that at least 28 people had died in the fire. The Muan Fire Station said it couldn't immediately confirm the casualty reports. It said emergency workers pulled out at least two passengers.

Yonhap reported the plane veered off the runway and collided with a fence. Emergency officials said they were examining the exact cause of the fire.

Local TV stations aired footage showing thick pillows of black smoke billowing from the plane engulfed with flame.

The incident came as South Korea is embroiled into a huge political crisis triggered by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s stunning imposition of martial law and ensuing impeachment. Last Friday, South Korean lawmakers impeached acting President Han Duck-soo and suspended his duties, making Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok to take over.

Choi ordered officials to employ all available resources to rescue the passengers and crew, according to Yonhap news agency.

Fire engines work to extinguish a fire at the Muan International Airport in Muan, South Korea, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (Maeng Dae-hwan/Newsis via AP)

Firefighters and rescue team members work at the Muan International Airport in Muan, South Korea, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (Maeng Dae-hwan/Newsis via AP)

A rescue team prepares to work at Muan International Airport in Muan, South Korea, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (Maeng Dae-hwan/Newsis via AP)

Firefighters work to extinguish a fire off the runway of Muan International Airport in Muan, South Korea, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (Maeng Dae-hwan/Newsis via AP)