THE Ireland Schools made history at the Manuka Oval in Canberra yesterday when they defeated Australia.
Schools for the first time and also preserved their unbeaten record in the final game of their nine match tour. This was the eighth meeting with Australia, who previously had won five matches in Ireland and two at home.
Ireland were adrift by 15-8 at half time and by 18-8 until the 49th minute. And they had to withstand intense pressure from the Australians for the last 13 minutes of the match.
Australia went ahead after only two minutes when out half Timothy Walsh, who scored all his team's points, got in for a try which he converted himself. Ireland then forced a five metre scrum, number eight Leo Cullen broke and scrum half Ciaran, Scally got over for an unconverted try.
After 20 minutes, out half Bryn Cunningham kicked a penalty goal to give Ireland the lead for the first time. But five minutes on, Walsh took a tapped penalty and crossed for his second try, which this time he failed to convert.
Walsh then extended Australia's lead with a penalty goal, leaving them ahead by 15-8 at the interval. And seven minutes into the second half he kicked another penalty to put his side 10 points clear.
Cunningham landed his second penalty seven minutes later, and three minutes on, the out half converted a fine try by right wing Jonathan Davis, after a good back movement, which tied the scores.
With 15 minutes left, Scally got his second try, which was not converted, to put Ireland five points ahead. Walsh's third penalty cut that lead to just two points, but a superb Ireland defence kept the Australians out in the final exchanges.
"This was a truly historic occasion, and I'm glad that IRFU president Bobby Deacy was here with us to witness it," said Ireland's coach Keith Patton. "Having won the Triple Crown, this was our fourth Test win of the year, and I want to pay special tribute to Barry Gibney, who has been an outstanding,,captain, and to all of the players.
"This was a resounding comeback," said Ireland's team manager Gerry Kelly. "Many a team would have failed in that situation, and it was a mighty achievement to win having trailed by 10 points.
