By Gary Watton
April 15 2013
Five points were now belatedly awarded for any try-scoring endeavour from this tournament onwards. Another disappointing season appeared to be on the cards when an Eric Elwood-inspired Ireland pulled a rabbit out of the hat by not only winning in Cardiff again, but then dismantling the hyped English invaders. Was this the dawning of a new era or just an oasis of success in a decade of woe? Time would tell.
SCOTLAND 15 IRELAND 3; 16th February; at Murrayfield
15 Wilkinson
14 Geoghegan
13 Cunningham
12 Danaher
11 Wallace
10 Malone [penalty]
9 Bradley (c)
8 Mannion
7 McBride
6 Lawlor
5 Costello
4 Johns
3 McCarthy
2 Smith
1 Popplewell
Two first-half tries from the wingers Tony Stanger and Derek Stark comfortably put this 'contest' to an early bed.
IRELAND 6 FRANCE 21; 20th February; at Lansdowne Road
15 Clarke
14 Geoghegan
13 Cunningham
12 Danaher
11 Wallace
10 Malone [2 penalties]
9 Bradley (c)
8 Francis
7 McBride
6 O'Hara
5 Galwey
4 Johns
3 Clohessy
2 Kingston
1 Popplewell
Philippe Saint-Andre and Philippe Sella scored the only tries to separate the teams. It had been 6-6 at the halfway stage.
WALES 14 IRELAND 19; 6th March; at Cardiff Arms Park
15 Clarke [drop goal]
14 Wallace
13 Cunningham
12 Danaher
11 Geoghegan
10 Elwood [3 penalties, conversion]
9 Bradley (c)
8 Robinson [TRY]
7 McBride
6 O'Hara
5 Galwey
4 Johns
3 Clohessy
2 Kingston
1 Popplewell
A first-half effort from big Brian Robinson was Ireland's first try of the tournament. Ireland led 13-6 at half time.
IRELAND 17 ENGLAND 3; 20th March; at Lansdowne Road
15 Clarke
14 Wallace
13 Cunningham
12 Danaher
11 Geoghegan
10 Elwood [2 drop goals, 2 penalties]
9 Bradley (c)
8 Robinson
7 McBride
6 O'Hara
5 Galwey [TRY]
4 Johns
3 Clohessy
2 Kingston
1 Popplewell
This match had been deadlocked at 3-3 after forty minutes, but Mick Galwey had the final say in this surprise triumph.
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