The Welsh Win The Triple Crown At Croke Park
Shane Williams scores the only try of the game (INPHO)
Ireland 12
Wales 16
By Dermot Kavanagh
Despite the closeness of the scoring this was a very comfortable win for Wales, one that won them the Triple Crown, but more importantly kept them in contention for a Grand Slam and the RBS Six Nations Championship title. That issue will be decided next week in Cardiff when Wales take on France.
The wonder of it all when the final whistle blew at Croke Park was that Wales were so close to actually losing a match that they should have won convincingly.
Having dealt comfortably with Ireland's early maneuvers Wales took over and should have scored at least two trys before half time.
Despite playing with the benefit of the strong wind blowing from the Canal End Wales found themselves 6 - 3 in arrears at the break.
However, even though Wales would be playing into the teeth of the wind in the second half it was clear that if they could maintain the momentum that they showed in the second quarter of the game they would win.
And so it happened. Quite frankly Ireland were a major disappointment. This was the pivotal game to date in the championship, yet they never performed except for a marvelous effort by Horgan in the first half (to this observer's view one that he should have scored,) Ireland never once looked like crossing the Welsh line.
Contrast this with the visitor's approach. In addition to the near misses in the first half Wales, in addition to the brilliant try that Williams scored also spurned two other chances in the second half.
All Ireland's points came from the boot of Ronan O'Gara.
The glimpses of improvement that Ireland showed against Scotland in the previous game was not maintained except for Kearney at full back, O'Gara at out half and O'Kelly and Hayes in the pack the rest of Irelands "golden generation" only confirmed that Ireland's poor form in the recent World Cup was not "a blip" as some commentators have suggested.
As to where Ireland now stand in International Rugby's pecking order it should be noted that if they do not beat England next weekend it will represent Ireland's worst finish in the Championship since 1999.
Surely Eddie O'Sullivans days as Ireland's coach are numbered.
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