It was near perfect conditions in Virgin Media Park this afternoon as Ireland took on Wales in the 3rd round of the Guinness Women's Six Nations.
After an error strewn opening quarter Ireland were the first to get scores on the board as Aoife Wafer crashed over in the 18th minute. A tough conversion for outhalf Dannah O'Brien followed which she put coolly through the uprights.
Aoife Wafer has been tough to contain in the first half 😮💨#GuinnessW6N #IREWAL pic.twitter.com/yaoCB5z4Xm
— Guinness Women's Six Nations (@Womens6Nations) April 13, 2024
Co-captain Edel McMahon had a point to prove this game after being dropped for the Italy game just 2 weeks ago. But she came out of the blocks swinging, winning a crucial turnover in the line out in the 17th minute setting up Ireland for a fantastic attacking period, which resulted in Eve Higgins crossing the whitewash in the 20th minute. The conversion followed from the left boot of Dannah O'Brien.
A 5 metre maul in the 26th minute saw Neve Jones barrelled over for Ireland's 3rd try of the afternoon. Dannah O'Brien followed with yet another perfect conversion.
Running into the sheds at half time Ireland led for the very first time in this Six Nations campaign 21-0.
Katie Corrigan got scoring underway right after the kick-off as she regathered the ball she had just charged down and crashed over underneath the posts. O'Brien was up once more as she sent the conversion through the posts.
Katie Corrigan is on the spot and cashes in 👏#GuinnessW6N #IREWAL pic.twitter.com/IcnJxC2N8m
— Guinness Women's Six Nations (@Womens6Nations) April 13, 2024
A penalty in the 49th minute put Ireland further ahead as their lead stretched to 31-0 with 30 minutes left of the clock.
Wales had some patches of brilliance throughout the first half but were unable to capitalise on them with the pressure they were put under by Ireland's line speed in defence.
7s superstar Bebhinn Parsons was next to cross the try line as she went over for Ireland's 5th try of the afternoon. Kicking into the wind O'Brien's conversion unfortunately dropped short, giving Ireland a 36-0 lead with an hour played.
That is 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐓 from @IrishRugby 🤩#GuinnessW6N #IREWAL pic.twitter.com/uaeaFdlMvi
— Guinness Women's Six Nations (@Womens6Nations) April 13, 2024
Drama unfolded in the 65th minute after a TMO referral deemed Gwennan Hopkins try to have been grounded. The scoreline now stood at 36-5 with just 15 minutes left to go.
An injury for Aoife Wafer in the 72nd minute saw Ireland reduced to 14 for the closing stages of the game, having already emptied the bench.
It was drama until the bitter end as Wales' second try was disallowed due to a forward pass in the 76th minute.
But it was finally Ireland's day as they took not only the win but the bonus point as well and secured their place at 5th in the table with a scoreline of 36-5.
This win will be a major confidence boost for the girls in green as they head into a massive clash against England in Twickenham next weekend.
IRELAND: Lauren Delany, Katie Corrigan, Eve Higgins, Enya Breen, Beibhinn Parsons; Dannah O' Brien, Aoibheann Reilly; Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Christy Haney; Dorothy Wall, Sam Monaghan; Aoife Wafer, Edel McMahon; Brittany Hogan.
Subs: Cliodhna Moloney (51st min), Niamh O’ Dowd (63rd min), Sadhbh Mcgrath (63rd min), Fiona Tuite (48th min), Shannon Ikahihifo (56th min), Molly Scuffil-Mccabe (54th min), Nicole Fowley (66th min), Aoife Dalton (54th min)
Tries: Aoife Wafer, Eve Higgins, Neve Jones, Katie Corrigan, Bebhinn Parsons
Cons: Dannah O' Brien
Pens: Dannah O' Brien
WALES: Jenny Hesketh, Jasmine Joyce, Hannah Jones, Kerin Lake, Carys Cox; Lleucu George, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips, Sisilia Tuipulotu; Abbie Fleming, Georgia Evans; Alisha Butchers, Alex Callender, Bethan Lewis.
Subs: Molly Reardon (51st min), Abbey Constable (58th min), Donna Rose (58th min), Natalia John (28th min), Gwennan Hopkins (60th min), Sian Jones (51st min), Kayleigh Powell (60th min), Courtney Keight (32nd min)
Tries: Gwennan Hopkins
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