By Gary Watton
April 15 2013
The only bragging right arising out of this average Five Nations campaign was a third consecutive win at Cardiff Arms Park, courtesy of that interception try which culminated in big Noel Mannion racing down the touchline to touch down. Otherwise, the only noteworthy 'achievement' by the Ireland rugby team in this year was when Willie Anderson led his troops up into the faces of the All Blacks as the New Zealanders unleashed their haka. Regrettably, the team could not emulate their pre-match heroics.
IRELAND 21 FRANCE 26; 21st January; at Lansdowne Road
15 Danaher
14 Sexton
13 Mullin [TRY]
12 Irwin
11 Kiernan [5 penalties, conversion]
10 Dean
9 Aherne
8 Mannion
7 O'Hara
6 Matthews (c)
5 Anderson
4 Lenihan
3 McCoy
2 Smith
1 Clancy
Three second-half French tries turned this contest on its head after Ireland had led 18-7 at half time, before they wilted.
WALES 13 IRELAND 19; 4th February; at Cardiff Arms Park
15 Dunlea
14 Kiernan [3 penalties, conversion]
13 Mullin
12 Irwin
11 Crossan
10 Dean [TRY]
9 Aherne
8 Mannion [TRY]
7 O'Hara
6 Matthews (c)
5 Anderson
4 Lenihan
3 McCoy
2 Smith
1 Clancy
Trailing at the interval to two Paul Thorburn penalties, Ireland amassed nineteen points in the second half.
IRELAND 3 ENGLAND 16; 18th February; at Lansdowne Road
15 Dunlea
14 Kiernan [penalty]
13 Mullin
12 Irwin
11 Haycock
10 Dean
9 Aherne
8 Mannion
7 O'Hara
6 Matthews (c)
5 Anderson
4 Lenihan
3 McCoy
2 Smith
1 Clancy
Brian Moore and Dean Richards scored the decisive tries for a resurgent England. The hosts had trailed 6-0 at half time.
SCOTLAND 37 IRELAND 21; 4th March; at Murrayfield
15 Dunlea [TRY]
14 Kiernan [penalty, 3 conversions]
13 Mullin [2 TRIES]
12 Irwin
11 Crossan
10 Dean
9 Aherne
8 Mannion
7 McBride
6 Matthews (c)
5 Francis
4 Lenihan
3 McCoy
2 Smith
1 Clancy
The Oirish actually led 21-19 at the interval. Iwan Tukalo grabbed a hat-trick in this eight tries extravaganza.
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