MILLENNIUM STADIUM TIMELINE
30 seconds: Welsh captain Ryan Jones initiates the blatant intimidation of Ronan O'Gara with a foot-trip that is picked up by English referee Wayne Barnes. Donncha O'Callaghan and Jones become embroiled. O'Gara misses the long-range penalty attempt.
7 mins:Denis Leamy comes in for Stephen Ferris as a blood replacement but remains in the contest.
15 mins:Luke Fitzgerald steadies himself before skidding over near the corner flag but Brian O'Driscoll's assist is adjudged to have been forward. Meanwhile, the forwards are fighting again back at the previous ruck.
22 mins:O'Gara seems rattled by the big Welsh runners pouring down his channel and slices a straightforward clearance into touch. Paul O'Connell begins his destruction of Matthew Rees's throws at the lineout.
31 mins:Wales must realign their backline as Lee Byrne limps off, to be replaced by big Jamie Roberts with Gavin Henson moving to fullback.
32 mins:After an enthralling, bone-jarring opening half hour, Stephen Jones opens the Welsh account with a penalty. 3-0.
38 mins:O'Gara is facing into the abyss as he and Fitzgerald are pulled back for crossing after the excellent David Wallace steals a lineout. Jones lands the subsequent 49-metre penalty. 6-0.
Half-time
43 mins: Roberts claims an O'Gara cross-field kick but is adjudged not to have marked it. The Irish pack pile on the pressure. O'Driscoll, back in his old scrumhalf berth, squeezes over in a repeat of his try against England. O'Gara converts. 6-7.
45 mins:Now flooding down Shane Williams' wing, another O'Gara chip sits up perfectly for Tommy Bowe, Henson slides off him and Williams can't catch him as the Ospreys man sprints under the posts. O'Gara converts. 6-14
50 mins:Jones's penalty goes over off the upright after O'Callaghan needlessly concedes three points with a petty push on Mike Phillips, who had just knocked on. 9-14.
52 mins:Wales continue to generate momentum but it is stalled by a massive man and ball hit by O'Driscoll on his opposite number Tom Shanklin.
55 mins:Jones makes it a one score game after Jamie Heaslip is hauled up for belting into Ryan Jones at a lineout. Harsh call. 12-14.
66 mins: Moments of inspiration by O’Connell and Fitzgerald are followed by a brilliant turnover from Wallace to, again, halt building Welsh pressure. Henson is short with a long-range penalty after John Hayes goes off his feet.
74 mins:Jones's drop goal comes after Phillips confirms himself as the leading candidate for the Lions number nine jersey by powering out of O'Connell's grip, brushing past O'Gara and Peter Stringer before being eventually getting hauled down ten metres out. Wales regain the lead. 15-14.
77 mins:The Irish forwards bring matters into the opposing 22 and proceed to inch infield to allow Stringer supply O'Gara for the defining drop goal. The outhalf wheels away in celebration but quickly regains his composure after glancing up at the match clock. 15-17.
79 mins:Paddy Wallace is penalised for hands in the ruck (bringing the penalty count up to Wales 4, Ireland 17) but Jones's 48 -metre penalty falls short into Geordan Murphy's hands. The Leicester Tiger strolls along the dead ball line before finally touching down.
In a nice gesture, pack leader Paul O’Connell goes up to collect the Triple Crown plate before captain Brian O’Driscoll lifts the Six Nations trophy and second Grand Slam in Ireland’s history. The 22 are joined on the podium by Shane Jennings, Alan Quinlan and Keith Earls.
– compiled by
GAVIN CUMMISKEY
