ANY hope that the Ireland under 21 team had of emulating the achievement of last season by winning the Triple Crown, was summarily demolished by Wales in Bridgend yesterday. Faced by a side that included 12 of last season's team Ireland with only one survivor, were comprehensively outplayed.
While the losing margin of 28 points was in the end rather rough justice for Ireland, the Welsh were much more accomplished, experienced and physically stronger and they made those attributes pay a handsome dividend.
A remarkable aspect of the match was that with 14 minutes to go, Wales led by only 18-16, having failed to turn vast territorial superiority and much more possession to account by the failure of their three quarter line to capitalise. However in the closing stages, Wales ran riot, scoring four tries, including two in injury time.
The Irish side, faced by a deficit of 30-16 with 10 minutes to go, were trying to make things happen and made mistakes in the process. The Welsh took full advantage of the errors, being helped on, two instances by the lack of vigilance of referee Peter Marshall of Australia, who missed knock ons that everyone else in the ground saw.
Ireland, having played with the wind in the first half, trailed 13-5 at the interval and their failure to take advantage of the elements was always going to be a burden that they were unlikely to discharge in the second period.
Despite the efforts of Rory Sherriff in the line out, and the good play of loose head prop Barry McConnell, together with the industry of Simon Easterby and David Wallace in the back row, it was in reality a task of containment for the Irish boys.
Easterby had scored Ireland's first half try following a tapped penalty and the visitors had their best spell of the match when Emmet Farrell kicked his second penalty in the 53rd minute and then got a try after very good work by McConnell and an inside pass from winger Ryan O'Neill. That left Ireland just two points adrift. But the Welsh replied totally, despite gallant tackling by Terenure full back Girvan Dempsey.
