By Gary Watton
April 13 2013
Ciaran Fitzgerald was now given the elbow as big Donal Lenihan led Ireland during an encouraging Five Nations campaign. Only a narrow defeat in Edinburgh against a formidable Scotland team prevented another triple crown season. However, the wheels came off when Ireland lost in a mediocre display against Wales in the inaugural World Cup. To everyone's surprise, Wales progressed to the semi-finals, while Ireland were soundly beaten 33-15 in the quarter-finals by Australia.
IRELAND 17 ENGLAND 0; 7th February; at Lansdowne Road
15 MacNeill
14 Ringland
13 Mullin
12 Kiernan [TRY, penalty, conversion]
11 Crossan [TRY]
10 Dean
9 Bradley
8 Anderson
7 Carr
6 Matthews [TRY]
5 Glennon
4 Lenihan (c)
3 Fitzgerald
2 Harbison
1 Orr
In very wet conditions, the hosts grabbed two second half-tries from Ulstermen Matthews and then Crossan to win easily.
SCOTLAND 16 IRELAND 12; 21st February; at Murrayfield
15 MacNeill
14 Ringland
13 Mullin
12 Kiernan [drop goal, penalty, conversion]
11 Crossan
10 Dean
9 Bradley
8 Anderson
7 Carr
6 Matthews
5 Glennon
4 Lenihan (c) [TRY]
3 Fitzgerald
2 Harbison
1 Orr
Ireland's annual tormentor Roy Laidlaw sneaked another try to cancel out Donal Lenihan's earlier effort.
IRELAND 13 FRANCE 19; 21st February; at Lansdowne Road
15 MacNeill
14 Ringland [TRY]
13 Mullin
12 Kiernan [penalty, conversion]
11 Crossan
10 Dean
9 Bradley [TRY]
8 Spillane
7 Anderson
6 Matthews
5 Glennon
4 Lenihan (c)
3 Fitzgerald
2 Harbison
1 Orr
In a repeat score of 1981, France won the coveted 'Grand Chelem', after Ireland had rocked them with an early 10-0 lead.
WALES 11 IRELAND 15; 4th April; at Cardiff Arms Park
15 MacNeill
14 Ringland
13 Mullin [TRY]
12 Kiernan [penalty, 2 conversions]
11 Crossan
10 Dean [TRY]
9 Bradley
8 Spillane
7 Carr
6 Matthews
5 Anderson
4 Lenihan (c)
3 Fitzgerald
2 Harbison
1 Orr
The Leinster duo of Dean and Mullin were the try-scoring heroes as Ireland this time finished strongly, after a bad start.
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