Keenan hat-trick powers Ireland past Argentina in Nations Championship Test
Ireland scored six tries in a 42-12 victory in Dublin, turning Argentina's early lead into a comprehensive defeat as Hugo Keenan claimed a hat-trick.
By Hushread Stories, from 8 outlets · First published 6 Nov 2026
In brief
- Ireland defeated Argentina 42 to 12 in their Nations Championship Test at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
- Hugo Keenan scored three of Ireland's six tries, with Sheehan, Prendergast and Kelleher also touching down.
- Argentina scored first through Mateo Carreras, who finished with both of the visitors' tries.
- Ireland led 21 to 5 at halftime and added another 21 points after the break.
- Argentina's defeat also featured Julián Montoya's departure under protocol and two costly cautions for the visitors.
Timeline · 5 moments
Ireland complete six-try victory with Keenan scoring three
Sky Sports ↗Ireland extend their advantage to 21-5 by halftime
BBC - Home ↗Ireland move ahead as early score reaches 7-5
Infobae ↗Mateo Carreras scores first to put Argentina ahead
Perfil.com ↗Contepomi recalls frontliners for Argentina's meeting with Ireland
The42 ↗How it started
Argentina arrived with their leading players recalled. On November 4, The42 reported that Contepomi had named a powerful Pumas side for the Friday night meeting with Ireland.
La Nacion described the selection as a rare opportunity that year for Felipe Contepomi to choose from the best players available to him. But the visitors also faced a difficult record: according to La Nacion, Argentina had never beaten Ireland in Dublin.
How it unfolded
On November 6, Argentina struck first at the Aviva Stadium through Mateo Carreras, according to Perfil.com. An early live report from Infobae then had Ireland ahead 7-5.
Ireland built that advantage to 21-5 by halftime. The scorecard published by the BBC shows the hosts were already firmly in control at the break, before adding another 21 points in the second half.
Keenan finished with three tries. Sheehan, Prendergast and Kelleher supplied the other three, while Prendergast kicked five conversions and Frawley added another, according to the BBC.
Carreras scored both Argentina tries, with Albornoz adding one conversion. Perfil.com also reported Julián Montoya's departure under protocol and two costly cautions as Argentina struggled with Ireland's physical impact.
Where it stands
Ireland's 42-12 win left a 30-point gap between the teams. Sky Sports described it as a statement Nations Championship victory, with Keenan's hat-trick the standout contribution to a six-try performance.
For Argentina, the opening try did not translate into a sustained challenge. Their wait for a first victory over Ireland in Dublin continues, following the record outlined by La Nacion before the match.
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