| Ireland U20 11 6 Wales U20 | |||||
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LAYDEN LEADS THE WAY FOR IRELAND RUGBY with MICHAEL SILKE IRELAND U20 11 WALES U20 6
It took Ireland quite some time to translate their superiority onto the scoreboard but they eventually managed to do that as they forged a richly merited 11-6 victory over Wales in their ‘Electric Ireland’ U-20 Six Nations Championship opener at Dubarry Park on Friday night.
Ireland continued to press but lacked a clinical finishing touch until J J Hanrahan made a superb angled break before off-loading to Shane Layden and the full-back dived over for a smashing 26th minute try in the right corner of his club ground. Jackson’s conversion from the touchline dropped short. Ireland continued to threaten but over-elaboration meant that they did not add to their tally although Sam Coghlan-Murray was stopped tantalisingly close to the Welsh line. Their 5-3 half-time advantage was a poor return for the possession and territory that Ireland enjoyed. They continued to force the pace on the restart and Layden was unlucky not to grab a second try on 53 minutes as Wales were forced to defend desperately. Clearcut chances were at a premium and a narrow lead was always vulnerable and, when prop Rob Evans bullocked forward, Ireland conceded a 66th minute penalty which substitute Lewis Williams converted to nose the Principality ahead again.
Exciting Buccaneers fullback Layden from Carrick-on-Shannon was a worthy ‘Electric Ireland man of the match’ and centre Hanrahan also made a topclass contribution. The back row trio of Jack Conan, Aaron Conneely and Mullingar’s Conor Gilsenan put in a Trojan effort as did lock Daniel Qualter until the Athlonian was surprisingly substituted on the hour mark. Daniel Thomas caught the eye most for Wales. Ireland will be pleased to have got off to a winning start that with a bit more sharpness could have been much more clearcut. However, the potential is there to continue on their winning ways when Italy come to Dubarry Park on Friday, February 24th. IRELAND:- S.Layden (Buccaneers); B.Daly (UCD), F.Horan (Lansdowne), J.J.Hanrahan (UL Bohemian), S.Coghlan-Murray (UCD); P.Jackson (Dungannon) captain, K.Marmion (Corinthians); K.McCall (Ballynahinch), N.Scannell (Dolphin), P.Reilly (Lansdowne); I.Henderson (Queens), D.Qualter (Buccaneers); C.Gilsenan (UCD), A.Conneely (Corinthians) and J.Conan (Old Belvedere). Replacements:- L.McGrath (UCD) for Marmion, T.Beirne (Lansdowne) for Qualter, C.Farrell (Dungannon) for Horan, J.Cawley (Old Belvedere) for Reilly, J.Rael (Garryowen) for Scannell, J.Coughlan (UCD) for Conneely, D.Merrey (for McCall), C.Marsh (for Daly) and Reilly (for Cawley). WALES:- R.Jones; I.Evans, N.Edwards, C.Allen, L.Morgan; S.Davies, J.Evans; R.Evans, K.Myhill (captain), W.G.John; M.Screech, R.Hughes; E.Jenkins, D.Thomas and R.Tucker. Replacements:- I.Jones (for Tucker), Lewis Williams (for Davies), Luke Williams (for Edwards), J.Sollis (for Myhill) and T.Davies (for R.Evans).
REFEREE:- James Matthew (SRU).
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Despite a cold night and a testing eastern wind for both players and spectators alike, a bumper crowd packed the Athlone stadium where Ireland have built up a wonderful record. Wales had first use of the diagonal breeze, yet Ireland made all the early running. However skipper Patrick Jackson missed two penalties inside the opening five minutes, the second effort rebounding into play off an upright. Twice the home side ignored overlaps and thus failed to punish Wales who then took the lead totally against the run of play when outhalf Sam Davies dropped a tidy 20th minute goal.
Jackson missed his fourth placekick on 71 minutes, this one his most kickable. Then Layden made another typical surge forward but didn’t use his over-lapping support. However, this put Ireland in a good position and further pressure earned Jackson a drop goal opportunity which he coolly took after 73 minutes to redeem himself. Then substitute Luke McGrath sealed the win with a splendid 76th minute drop goal to ensure Ireland got off to a winning start.
