By Gary Watton
April 5 2013
This was a Championship-winning year for an Irish team that had produced many fine performances in the previous decade, without stringing three or four together in the same campaign. However, the likes of McBride and the formidable front row were in the twilight of their careers, and this tournament was merely an interval between periods of Welsh [and French] domination. The line-ups of the opposing teams can be sourced at www.espnscrum.com
FRANCE 9 IRELAND 6; 19th January; at Parc des Princes
15 Ensor [2 penalties]
14 Becker
13 Gibson
12 Milliken
11 McMaster
10 Quinn
9 Moloney
8 Moore
7 Slattery
6 McKinney
5 Keane
4 McBride (c)
3 Lynch
2 Kennedy
1 McLoughlin
A second-half try by Victor Bofelli helped the hosts to a narrow win. Big Moss Keane won his first cap in this defeat.
IRELAND 9 WALES 9; 2nd February; at Lansdowne Road
15 Ensor [3 penalties]
14 Becker
13 Gibson
12 Milliken
11 Lavery
10 Quinn
9 Moloney
8 Moore
7 Slattery
6 Deering
5 Keane
4 McBride (c)
3 Lynch
2 Kennedy
1 McLoughlin
Tony Ensor and Phil Bennett each added a penalty to the half-time score. JJ Williams scored the match's only try.
ENGLAND 21 IRELAND 26; 16th February; at Twickenham
15 Ensor [penalty]
14 Grace
13 Gibson [2 TRIES, 2 conversions]
12 Milliken
11 McMaster
10 Quinn [drop goal]
9 Moloney [TRY]
8 Moore [TRY]
7 Slattery
6 McKinney
5 Keane
4 McBride (c)
3 Lynch
2 Kennedy
1 McLoughlin
England fly half Alan Old kicked seventeen points and still ended up on the losing team, courtesy of a certain Mike Gibson!
IRELAND 9 SCOTLAND 6; 2nd March; at Lansdowne Road
15 Ensor
14 Grace
13 Gibson [conversion]
12 Milliken [TRY]
11 McMaster
10 Quinn
9 Moloney
8 Moore
7 Slattery
6 McKinney [penalty]
5 Keane
4 McBride (c)
3 Lynch
2 Kennedy
1 McLoughlin
Two second-half penalties from Andy Irvine eroded the 9-0 interval lead, but the hosts held on for a narrow win.
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