Ireland U20 24 Wales U20 17:Allen Clarke's Ireland under-20 remain in the hunt for a Six Nations title ahead of next weekend's meeting with Scotland, after a hard fought win over Wales at Dubarry park in Athlone.
In an encounter that mirrored travails of the Welsh senior side this season, Ireland took an early lead with two quickfire tries before the customary fightback fell just short.
The homeside were ahead within the first minute when man-of-the match Niall Annett of Belfast Harlequins blocked Matthew Jarvis's lazy clearance and touched down for the opening try of the game.
James McKinney, who kicked four from four, landed the conversion from the left touchline for the perfect start.
Jarvis called for the ball to be replaced for the restart, perhaps in an attempt to deflect the blame, but it made little difference as McKinney added a penalty before Paddy Butler finished off a powerful move under the posts.
McKinney again did the honours and Ireland were cruising at 17-0 at halftime.
As is often the case, Wales did not roll over and fullback Dan Fish opened the scoring in the second half after a perfect offload from wing James Loxton.
Connacht's Eoin Griffin then chased McKinney's kick ahead and touched down to keep Wales at arms length, but Ireland were made to fight all the way as Fish ran in his second, thanks to a blinding burst of pace, before Ospreys wing Kristian Phillips crossed at the death.