Under 21s withstand sustained pressure

IRELAND, who were deprived of a Triple Crown by the Welsh in Cardiff last year, made full amends at Wicklow rugby club yesterday…

IRELAND, who were deprived of a Triple Crown by the Welsh in Cardiff last year, made full amends at Wicklow rugby club yesterday when they withstood sustained late pressure to earn a deserved victory.

It was a game which Ireland, who have played better, could have lost but in a dour second half they stuck to the task in hand and ground out the result.

The home side, backed by a strong wind, laid the foundation for the win in a lively first half in which they scored all their points. Out half Fergal Campion got them off the mark as early as the third minute when he kicked a penalty in front of the posts.

The St Mary's player was off target, however, with two further penalty attempts and a drop goal attempt in the next 10 minutes. However Ireland possessed other scoring options and a break by centre Ray McIlreavy at the end of the first quarter, split the Welsh defence and let Jan Cunningham in for a try which Campion converted.

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Four minutes later after thank row had worked the ball well along the right hand touch line, number eight Eric Miller, took up the running, broke inside and passed to prop Barry McConnell who scored close to the posts.

Campion again added the conversion to stretch Ireland's lead to 17 points. But rather than pushing home their advantage the home side appeared to slacken off and Wales took the initiative.

A good break by John Funnell brought play up to the Irish 22, and after a great line out take by Neil `Lofty' Watkins, the Welsh forwards made ground, before Lee Manning dived over from close range.

Shaun Connor kicked an excellent conversion into the wind and a somewhat subdued Ireland began to look increasingly vulnerable. Fortunately, Campion found his range right on the stroke of halftime and his excellent dropped goal from 40 metres renewed confidence.

With flanker Craig Quiunell beginning to exert more influence on proceedings Ireland were forced into errors. Fortunately for them Conor, like Campion earlier, was unable to take full advantage of the opportunities that came his way and two penalties and two attempted drop goals sailed wide.

With Crotty and Hickie providing excellent cover at the back, and the back row, especially Kieron Dawson, linking well with the backs to force the Welsh back into their half, Ireland looked to have lifted the siege.

A heavy Welsh pack, urged on by their very able scrum half and captain, Daniel Hawkins, had other ideas. They mounted wave after wave of assaults on the Ireland line and after being awarded five penalties in succession, Conor finally dived over for the inevitable try.

When Wales were awarded a close range penalty three minutes from time a grand stand finish seemed on the cards. Incredibly Conor was off the mark and most in the large crowd heaved a sigh of relief.