Ireland failed to make it to the European Cup Finals after a superb second half performance by Wales in Pontypridd.
The Wolfhounds got off to a flying start, adapting to the conditions well and their early dominance paid off when Marcus St Hilaire got his Irish career off to a perfect start by finishing off a fine team move with an impressive score.
Then Wigan winger Pat Richards introduced himself when he chipped ahead for Liam Finn to touch down. Richards converted bought tries to give his side a twelve point lead.
However, the Irish gave away four penalties in a row and were dually punished when Ian Webster crossed over to give his side hope.
Wales grew in confidence as the half went on and they put the Wolfhounds under pressure in the final ten minutes of the half.
And it was substitute Lee Williams who made the most of this pressure when he ran in a superb individual try from forty yards out.
Thanks to two conversions from Lloyd White Wales levelled the game before the half.
The Welsh started the second half as they finished the first by putting pressure on the Irish line with deep kicks.
Wales took the lead inside ten minutes of the half when Rhys Williams touched down after neat offloading. White missed the subsequent conversion to leave the score at 16-12.
And sixteen became twenty when Ashley Bateman crossed the whitewash after Wales capitalised on another Irish penalty.
Geraint Davies then scored to put twelve points between the sides as Ireland struggled to cope with the home side.
Wales then effectively killed off the game when captain Jordan James forced his way over the Irish line, making the score 30-12.
Full back Elliott Kear and Gil Dudson rubbed salt in the wound to increase the scale of the Welsh victory.
Ireland gave away a total of 11 penalties in the game, which Wales punished with ruthless efficiency.
Andy Kelly and his men now make the short trip to Bridgend as they look to correct their mistakes ahead of the final round of games against Lebanon.
