Ireland’s Six Nations championship dream is over for another year after Wales won this evening’s encounter in Cardiff 22-9.
In a game the boy’s in green desperately needed to win to setup a showdown clash with England next week it was a determined Welsh who came out on top in the Principality Stadium.
Ireland started brightly and were unlucky not to have a try when CJ Standar was just held short of the line. Ireland did take the lead when Johnny Sexton slotted between the posts.
However the tide quickly turned and Wales scored a superb try through Gareth North on the 20th minute. Joe Schmidt’s men reduced the deficit on the 27th minute when Paddy Jackson in place for Sexton scored a penalty to leave it 9-6 at half time.
In the second half Wales stretched their lead when Halfpenny scored a penalty in the 39th minute. Things went from bad to worse for Ireland in the 44th minute when North crossed over after they capitalised on a break down on their own 22 line.
Ireland piled on the pressure but they came up short after a resolute Welsh defence held firm, with their only score coming through Sexton’s boot in 57th minute.
Ireland continued to batter the Welsh defence and though they had a try on the 69th minute when Rory Best crossed over when the Irish maul drove of the Welsh line, but the try was disallowed after the referee judged that Jamie Heaslip offside in the build up.
Wales sowed up the victory in the 78th minute when Roberts touched down after a brilliant block down of Sexton’s kick. Ireland now head into next weeks game with England with their championship dreams in tatters.