Ireland’s five-star triumph ends their long losing streak

When the final whistle blew the Ireland players embraced one another. There were smiles, happy faces and celebrations which have been a rare occurrence for this team. And it was utterly deserved in a display that was a systems success for Scott Bemand’s team.

It was the outstanding player of the match Aoife Wafer who got Ireland’s first-half scoring spree underway after 13 minutes. Ireland sensibly went short to Sam Monaghan in the line-out and that was the catalyst for an excellent team try. In a sublime attacking move, Dannah O’Brien found Enya Breen who shifted the ball to the unstoppable Wafer who couldn’t be halted by three Welsh players as she powered her way over for Ireland’s opening try. It was Wafer’s second try of this championship and O’Brien kicked an excellent conversion.

The momentum was all Ireland’s and they got their second try six minutes later. Edel McMahon showed her remarkable value to this team as she stole a Wales line-out to allow Ireland dot down for the second time. Aoibheann Reilly made a brilliant break and the move concluded with Eve Higgins burrowing her way over. O’Brien added the extras to move them into a 14-0 lead.

And then the beauty of the line-out maul try. It’s a move that has damaged Ireland but this time it was their weapon. Again it was Monaghan with the take, Neve Jones minded the ball at the back and they mauled their way over for try number three. O’Brien nailed the conversion.

It looked like Ireland would bag a fourth try before half-time when Wafer made another excellent break but it didn’t work out this time — 21-0 to Ireland at half-time.

When it seemed like Wales would come out with a second-half comeback it was Ireland who doubled-down on their superiority with the bonus-point try just over a minute into the second half. Wales outhalf Lleucu George’s kick was blocked down by Katie Corrigan who collected the loose ball to run in under the posts. It was the winger’s second try of this Six Nations. O’Brien, again, with the conversion.

Ireland did to Wales what Wales did to Ireland last year with a utterly dominant display. Irish head coach Bemand had the luxury of making changes early. Her recall dominated the build-up and there was an exceptionally warm reception when Cliodhna Moloney came on for Jones after 52 minutes to win her first Ireland cap since 2021. And what a game to make her long-awaited comeback.

But Ireland weren’t done with the try-scoring yet. We’ve waited for Béibhinn Parsons to really show what she can do again in the 15s game and she finally got her moment just before the hour mark. In another smooth move, the ball was passed out to Wafer who showed some great subtlety to pass to Parsons who cut her way to the tryline. Cue more rapturous celebrations in Musgrave Park.

The Ireland defence was breached after 66 minutes when sub Gwennan Hopkins scored her first try for Wales. But this was Ireland’s day. They finished with 14 players having used all their subs as Wafer came off to a standing ovation and the player of the match award.

This day and performance has been a long time coming for this Irish team. They’re up and running.

Scorers — Ireland: A Wafer, E Higgins, N Jones, K Corrigan, B Parsons tries; D O’Brien 4 cons, 1 pen. Wales: Hopkins try. Ireland: L Delany; K Corrigan, E Higgins, E Breen (A Dalton 54), B Parsons; D O’Brien, A Reilly (M Scuffil-McCabe 54); L Djougang (N O’Dowd 63), N Jones (C Moloney 51), C Haney (S McGrath 63); D Wall, S Monaghan (F Tuite 49); A Wafer, E McMahon (N Fowley 66), B Hogan (S Ikahihifo 56). Wales: J Hesketh; J Joyce, H Jones, K Lake (C Keight 43), C Cox; L George (K Powell 60), K Bevan (S Jones 52); G Pyrs (Constable 58), C Phillips (M Reardon 52), S Tuipulotu (Rose 58); A Fleming (G Hopkins 61), G Evans; A Butchers, A Callender, B Lewis (N John 29). Referee: S Cox (RFU).