RUGBY: CLUB INTERNATIONAL: Ireland clubs 16 England Counties 8:THE IRELAND Clubs got the rugby weekend off to a great start last night with a cracking win in a hard-hitting encounter at Anglesea Road.

The visitors were the dominant team for long stretches but Ireland showed more cutting edge when they did get on the front foot.

England scrumhalf Ben Spencer slotted a penalty after six minutes, but outhalf Barry Keeshan finally brought the teams level when he hit the target from his third penalty attempt before half-time after great work by fullback John O’Brien.

Nine minutes after the break Ireland captain Frank Cogan sparked a slick counter-attack which was finished off by winger David Mongan for a wonderful try.

Nine minutes later Ireland scored their second unconverted try as lock Simon Crawford smashed over from close range.

Fullback Gareth Collins threw England a lifeline when he raced over with 20 minutes remaining.

Substitute Alan Kingsley slotted a penalty to seal Ireland’s win.

IRELAND: J O'Brien (Buccaneers); J Cleary (Galwegians), E Moloney (Dolphin), E Ryan (Clontarf), D Mongan (Old Belvedere); B Keeshan (Dolphin), G Hurley (Cork Constitution); J Ryan (UCC), R Sweeney (St Mary's College), C Condon (Dolphin); P Donnellan (UCC), S Crawford (Clontarf); H Hogan (St Mary's College), B O'Mahony (Clontarf), F Cogan (Cork Con) (capt). Replacements used: G Slattery (Young Munster), C Kavanagh (Clontarf), L Óg Murphy (Young Munster), D Hall (St Mary's), M D'Arcy (St Mary's), A Kingsley (Young Munster), S Morrow (Ballynahinch)

ENGLAND COUNTIES:G Collins; D Vincent, P Hodgkinson, T Wheatcroft, T Jarvis; D Mugford, B Spencer; A Clarke, M Hall, A Liffchak, S Pape, J Brown, J Kellard), D Allen, S Beaumont. Replacements used: D Lloyd-Jones, A MacKenzie, J Ngan, T Standfield, S Liebenberg, M Waywell, J Stephenson (Blackheath).

Referee: Leighton Hodges (Wales)