The Ireland Youth team's bid for Triple Crown glory in the under-18 tournament which began in Scotland on Saturday ended disappointingly when they lost to Wales at Glasgow Southern RFC.
The Irish had to withstand intense Welsh pressure for the first 10 minutes, but the defence held out, and spirits were lifted when full back Brendan Burke scored a fine try which out-half Frank Lynch converted.
Just before the interval, Welsh out-half Daffydd Lewis landed a penalty goal. That left Ireland leading by an encouraging 7-3 at half-time, but disaster was soon to follow. After Wales restarted, a poor Irish clearing kick failed to find touch and flanker Andrew Powell scored after just 30 seconds of play.
A penalty goal by Lynch 14 minutes into the second period restored Ireland's lead, but with 10 minutes to go Welsh scrumhalf Andrew Williams touched down after a series of rucks and mauls and Lewis added the conversion. The Irish tried desperately to rescue the game in the final pulsating minutes. They were awarded several penalties and ran them all, but the Welsh held firm. In the afternoon's other match, Scotland beat England at Whitecraig in Glasgow. Ireland now meet the Scots at Selkirk on Tuesday, kick-off 5.00 p.m.
IRELAND YOUTH: B Burke (Barnhall); J Gill (Westport), E Lynn (Boyne), D Cantley (Dromore), D O'Riordan (Youghal); F Lynch (Guinness), R Farrell (Tullamore); D Witherow (City of Derry), I Campbell (Limavady), C Prime (Banbridge), T Barker (Malone), J Murphy (Highfield), J Boyd (Malone), C Finnerty (Tullamore) capt, D Maguire (Longford). Replacements: B Lynn (Wicklow) for E Lynn (halftime), R Glennon (Edenderry) for Gill (43 mins), M Chambers (Banbridge) for Farrell (50 mins).
