March 9, 2008

IRELAND surrendered their long-standing winning sequence at Dubarry Park when they lost 11-6 to a livelier Wales in their ESB International U-20 Six Nations Championship match at the Athlone stadium on Friday night. As in their previous two games at the midlands venue, Ireland lacked consistency but could have rifled the spoils with a late, late flourish. However, Wales were the better organised and more inventive outfit on the night in front of another good turnout and the RTE TV cameras.

Ireland almost scored right at the start when Chris Cochrane chased up the kick off and visiting fullback Daniel Evans’ attempted clearance rebounded painfully off the flying wing’s head. Had Cochrane’s hands made the block then Ireland would surely have got off to a sensational start but they dominated the early exchanges and Wales eventually were tempted offside with Martin Dufficy’s 10th minute penalty giving the home country the lead.

However, Wales gradually forced the pace, enjoying substantial possession and territory but their first sniff of a score did not emanate until the 26th minute when a drop goal attempt was blocked down. Their pressure eventually told when they ended up with numbers on the right and a long pass found No.8 Lloyd Phillips who charged over out wide for a 30th minute try which Leigh Halfpenny could not convert.

Dufficy drilled a lengthy penalty wide three minutes later but, from the next phase of play, Ireland forced another penalty just inside the visitors’ 10m line and this time the outhalf made no mistake to give Ireland a minimum 6-5 halftime advantage.

Impressive hooker and ‘ESB International Man of the Match’ Rhys Lawrence accelerated on a tremendous break on 55 minutes that almost got to the home line but, nevertheless, earned a penalty which Halfpenny slotted over to put Wales ahead again. Just after the hour mark, Wales lost prop Ryan Bevington to the sin-bin for dissent but Dufficy was off-target with another penalty kick on 64 minutes. Ireland were to rue this miss as Halfpenny landed another Welsh penalty with a fine kick just four minutes later.

Both teams went to their respective benches in a hectic finish and Ireland finally came alive in a surprisingly lengthy eight minutes added time when the homesters camped inside the Welsh 22. Ireland got tantalisingly close to the visitors’ line on a number of occasions, including one when the TMO was called upon to decide whether or not Eoin O’Malley had snatched a try. But, just as happened Shane Horgan at Croke Park, the decision went against the home side while a dramatic late try looked on when centre O’Malley made a thrilling break but he opted not to pass and Wales promptly sealed off this real opportunity.

Thus, Ireland lost for the first time in two years at their Dubarry Park fortress and, with the Championship already out of reach, also miss out on Triple Crown consolation.

IRELAND:- D.Kearney; S.Scanlon, E.O’Malley, C.Cleary, C.Cochrane; M.Dufficy, D.Moore; P.Karayiannis, J.Harris-Wright, B.Barclay; D.Nolan, E.Sheriff; K.Essex, P.Ryan (captain) and P.Mallon. Replacements used:- I.Porter (for Moore, 51 mins), I.Nagle (for Sheriff, 55 mins), I.Madigan (for Dufficy, 69 mins), S.Douglas (for Harris-Wright, 71 mins) and S.Archer (for Barclay, 71 mins).

WALES:- D.Evans; L.Halfpenny, J.Davies, G.Owen, N.Rees; D.Biggar, R.Webb; R.Bevington, R.Lawrence, P.Palmer; H.Pugh, J.Groves (captain); J.Turnbull, N.Cudd and L.Phillips. Replacements used:- S.Andrews (for Palmer, 59 mins) and R.Williams (for Lawrence, 66 mins).

REFEREE:- S.Falzone. (Italy).