Under-21 International/Ireland 13 Wales 14: Brave defending was never going to be enough to keep Ireland's Under-21 Six Nations hopes alive as they were left to rue on a one-point loss at Dubarry Park in Athlone last night.
But, in truth, the reigning champions deserved their victory despite the spirited Irish performance, with the Welsh pack superb throughout as they forced Ireland on to the back foot.
A combination of superb defending from the likes of Ejike Uzoigwe, Seán O'Brien and captain Stuart Philpot kept them at bay for long periods, while the Welsh did not do their pack justice with some dreadful handling behind the scrum.
Yet, in players such as scrum-half Martin Roberts and number eight Tom Smith, they have a talented bunch, many of whom look set to make an immediate step-up to the senior grade.
Ireland's cause was not helped by two enforced changes, with left winger Matthew Williams and loosehead prop Darragh Hurley both crying off. Tom Gleeson of Cork Constitution came in on the wing with Worcester's Callum Black promoted from the bench to the frontrow.
Ireland, backed by the wind in the opening half, struggled to cope with an excellent Welsh scrum. Wales were handed an early advantage when Irish lock Daniel Tuohy was binned after just two minutes.
Yet, it was Ireland who went ahead after 10 minutes when Conan Doyle made no mistake with a penalty from the 22 after a superb but rare Irish break from centre Fergus McFadden.
However, then the superior Welsh pack took over and enjoyed a sustained period of pressure which was not reflected on the scoreboard, largely because of some dreadful handling behind the scrum.
Inevitably, the pressure yielded a try when lock Alan Wyn Jones took a lineout in the right corner and his pack got the squeeze on to drive him over, moments after Irish fullback Fionn Carr had done well to stop the flying Welsh right-winger Darren Daniel. Wales outhalf James Hook landed a superb conversion from the right touchline into the wind.
Ireland, though, should have led at the interval. Wyn Jones was binned after French referee Jean Pierre Matheu finally lost his patience with the visitors coming in from the side, and Doyle slotted the penalty.
And Wales were reduced to 13 men before the break when tighthead Alan Osbourne foot-tripped Ireland scrumhalf Paul Marshall as he sniped from outside the 22.
However, Doyle, who was short with an effort from the 10-metre line after eight minutes, saw his effort come back off the left post.
Wales seemed poised to run riot with the wind behind them on the resumption, but Ireland defended superbly and with great discipline, preventing Wales from getting the penalties which might have seen them pull away.
But while the Welsh pack tired in the final quarter, their backs came more into it and they sealed victory in the final minute of normal time when the impressive Hook broke down the left for a try to put them 12-6 to the good.
He added the points from the conversion which, in the end, proved to be the difference between the sides.
Ireland, true to their form all evening, never gave up and were rewarded deep into stoppage time when several phases ended with fullback Fionn Carr breaking through for a try which was converted by Jonathan Sexton.
However, it was not enough to save the day for Mark McDermott's men.
SCORERS: Ireland - Tries: Carr, Cons: Sexton, Pens: Doyle (2). Wales - Tries: Wyn Jones, Hook, Cons: Hook (2).
IRELAND: F Carr (Blackrock College); P Durcan (Galwegians), D Cave (Belfast Harlequins), F McFadden (UCD), T Gleeson (Cork Con); C Doyle (Garryowen), P Marshall (Ballynahinch); C Black (Worcester/ Hartpury College), S Philpott (Belfast Harlequins), P Doran-Jones (Dublin University); D Toner (Lansdowne), D Touhy (Gloucester/Hartpury College); M Essex (UCC), E Uzoigwe (Hartpury College), S O'Brien (UCD). Replacements: D Williams (UCC) for Marshall (61 mins); B Holland (UCC) for Essex, M Diffley (Buccaneers) for Doran-Jones (both 66 mins); J Sexton (St Mary's College) for McFadden (73 mins).
WALES: J Roberts; D Daniel, A Bishop, T Riley, C Czekaj; J Hook, M Roberts; R Gill, D Goodfield, P Osborne; A Wyn Jones, D Day; C Everett, R Shellard, T Smith. Replacements: B Lewis for Everett (53 mins); L Davies for M Roberts (41 mins); D Hewitt for Riley (65 mins); W Jones for Day (71 mins); I Jones for Gill (73 mins); E Shervington for Goodfield (74 mins); A Thomas for J Roberts, 77 mins.
Referee: JP Matheu (France).
