A FINE all round team performance by the home side in what were very difficult conditions saw the Ireland under 21s get the weekend's series of matches against Scotland off to a winning start at Stradbrook.

The turning point came in injury time in the first half. After a fine take by Colin McEntee at a line out close to the Scottish line, the forwards drove forward and hooker Cormac Egan got the vital touchdown. That score gave Ireland a 15-9 lead and after that they never looked back.

The visitors, with the wind and driving rain at their backs, hag opened brightly, out half Jamie McKee putting them in front with a penalty from 30 yards after five minutes. Fergal Campion equalised with a well struck kick from out on the right but McKee had Scotland back in front with another penalty from the 25.

Then at the end of the first quarter came the best move of the match. Ireland's impressive fullback Dominic Crotty mounted a swift counter attack and after making over 30 yards, the ball was taken on by Kieran Dawson and Damian Evans before strong running centre Ray McIlreavy shrugged off a couple of tackles before diving over.

That try, converted by Campion, gave Ireland a 10-6 lead, but the margin was reduced to the minimum in the 32nd minute when McKee landed his third penalty.

Egan's try meant Scotland had it all to do in the second half, but they never really threatened to score. Despite getting into a number of very good attacking positions, Ireland added only six points to their total Camp ion kicking a penalty on 60 minutes and a drop goal in injury time.