Late surge does the trick for Ireland

Following a ferocious fightback Ireland finally got what they deserved in yesterday's under-21 game against Wales at a packed Donnybrook, when left wing Gareth McCullough, deep in injury time, kicked the final ball of the day in front of over 3,000 supporters to inch Ireland ahead 2725 and take a fraught contest to its conclusion.

It was a fired-up but sometimes over-impetuous Irish side that finally pulled the game from the fire. With the Welsh captain Lee Jarvis in such excellent form with the boot and in his position at out-half, Ireland insisted on giving the young Cardiff player plenty of opportunities. He gratefully accepted by running up a tally of 20 points from six penalties and a conversion.

Too often Ireland undid themselves through sheer exuberance and a zeal that consistently let Wales back into the match. But little criticism can be hurled at the young side whose willingness early in the game occasionally brought them trouble but in the end gave them the commitment and, perhaps unfashionably, the spirit to win a match in such theatrical fashion.

Ireland, in fact, led the game until the 53rd minute at which stage Wales ran in a try when hooker Chris Wells took the ball wide on the right and crashed over in the Irish corner. Until then Ireland had comfortably kept their distance through two early penalty kicks from Instonians' McCullough and an unconverted try from scrum half Thomas Tierney.

From the beginning, Ireland had been dominating the general play, albeit it in a patchy way, with Blackrock's Leo Cullen strong in the line-outs and formidable in the loose. Tom Keating, Cullen's clubmate at full-back, also demonstrated his offensive instincts as much as his security under the high ball while the pack easily held their own and provided sufficient ball.

But Jarvis was always a threat. On 20 minutes he kicked a beautiful penalty a metre inside Ireland's half. Eight minutes later another penalty just five metres inside the Irish half took Wales to 11-6 before Irish outhalf Bryn Cunningham showed noticeable poise while taking a drop goal under pressure.

In the run-in to the break, Jarvis again fed off Irish infringements. Two more accurate kicks and Wales went into the second half just two points astray at 14-12.

A fight involving just about everyone on the pitch broke out six minutes into the second half: Brigend centre Stephen Winn was decreed the worst aggressor and duly sent off. Wales simply responded with Wells's try for a 14-19 lead.

McCullough and Jarvis again exchanged kicks and just after the hour Wales led 22-17 as Ireland pressed fiercely for a score. Under severe pressure inside the Welsh 22, Shannon prop Marcus Horan provided Ireland's foothold on the game when he took the ball on the move and burrowed over from five metres out.

McCullough converted for a 24-22 lead on 71 minutes before Jarvis again struck three minutes later to nose Wales ahead and throw the game into a frenzied climax.

Then, it was really who would hold their nerve as Ireland wholeheartedly threw themselves at the opposition. Introducing Richard Ormond and Ian McLoughlin late in the game gave Ireland a freshness and it was Wales who were on the back foot.

Finally a penalty was awarded after the referee had initially offered Ireland the advantage close to the touch-line inside the Welsh 22. It finally gave McCullough his hero's role which he finished off under enormous pressure.