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Published 21:41 17 Aug 2017 BST
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Ireland knew the next score had to be from them and started the second half very well. They had penalty advantage a couple of times on the French line but could never find that magic burst, jink or secondary drive to get the ball down.
They were agonisingly close to scoring but a Nicole Cronin pass to Cliodhna Moloney went to ground and the scrum went to France. The sin-binning of France lock Lenaig Corson came and went and still Ireland could not get off '0'.
Phase after phase. Drive after drive. And it was met by amazing French resistance. It was stirring stuff... except if you were Irish.
All hope had pretty much gone by the 68th minute but it took a hapless knock-on from Molloy with two teammates outside her to drive home that this was not Ireland's night. Their tournament to host but not their one to win.
There would be a late consolation to get House of Pain pumping and the home fans on their feet. Moloney finished off another long period of pressure to make it 21-5. They never stopped and, after the clock went red, they breached French lines and the crowd let them know their efforts were appreciated.
Ireland will travel to Belfast in the coming days but they will not be playing for the main prize, merely as high a finish as possible. France were too good and they have the talent to win this World Cup outright.Live sport on TV in Ireland this weekend – Football, GAA, Rugby – April 24th to 26th
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