IRELAND let a 4-0 lead slip and eventually drew 5-5 with Wales in the amateur boxing international at Swansea last night.

Ireland had the perfect start with wins by Terry Carlyle, Jim Conlon, Michael Blaney and Olympian Francis Barrett.

Wales came back strongly to narrow the deficit 4-2 before the best bout of the night saw debutante Alo Kelly drop a controversial points verdict to Darren Haines.

Kelly, from the Brosna club in Mullingar, seemed to have the bout won when he forced his opponent to take a count in the final round but inexplicably the verdict went to Haines.

Sean Collier, fitness coach to All-Ireland hurling champions Wexford, ensured Ireland could not lose by stopping his opponent in the second round.

Wales, however, won the penultimate fight and, in a thrilling climax, Cardiff's John Smith outpointed Limerick's John Kiely to square the contest.