Second half drop-goals from Paddy Jackson and Luke McGrath steered the Ireland Under-20s to a deserved victory over Wales in their Six Nations opener.
Newly appointed Irish captain Jackson missed two early penalties at a bitterly cold Dubarry Park before his opposite number Sam Davies dropped a goal against the run of play.
But Mike Ruddock’s side dominated possession and territory and a 26th-minute try from full-back and man of the match Shane Layden was the highlight for the home crowd.
A midfield break and well-judged pass from impressive centre JJ Hanrahan set up the speedy Layden for a simple finish in the right corner, giving the hosts a 5-3 interval lead.
Frustratingly, Ireland could not turn pressure into points and they fell behind after a Lewis Williams penalty, with Luke Morgan and Daniel Thomas leading the charge for a powerful Welsh outfit.
However, a strong final quarter got Ireland off to a winning start as Jackson and replacement scrum half McGrath kicked them home.
Jackson and Hanrahan were among the survivors from the sides’ two meetings last year which produced a Six Nations draw in Llanelli and a decisive 38-24 play-off triumph for the Welsh in the IRB Junior World Championship.
Iain Henderson, another returning player, had a storming game and the big second row rumbled forward from the kick-off to earn an early penalty chance. Jackson though sent his effort narrowly wide.
A charge down by Conor Gilsenan and some strong carrying from Foster Horan forced a second penalty, but the left hand post denied Jackson this time.
Playing into the wind, Ireland continued to exert control in the loose although a solid set piece and the big boot of out-half Davies helped relieve the pressure on the Welsh.
The swirling wind troubled both hookers but towards the end of a nervy first quarter, Davies left-footed a lovely drop goal with the comfort of a penalty advantage.
Sam Coghlan Murray almost got a clean take of Jackson’s cross-field kick as Ireland tried to hit back and they did just that thanks to the creativity of Hanrahan.
The Munster prospect spotted a mismatch in centre-field, splitting the Welsh defence on a clever run and his arcing pass fed Buccaneers starlet Layden who was scoring on his home pitch.
Jackson’s conversion attempt fell short, but Ireland drew confidence from the try and Hanrahan, using his quick feet, almost stretched the Welsh defence again.
The lively Aaron Conneely hounded Welsh scrum half Jonathan Evans into the concession of a penalty but the visitors held firm, crowding Coghlan Murray out as he tried to squeeze over in the left corner.
Good work at the breakdown from Peter Reilly won a relieving penalty for Ireland as the Welsh tried to force the issue in the opening minutes of the second half.
Good link play from Kieran Marmion and better execution invited Layden and Barry Daly through as they took play back into the Welsh 22, however, turnovers thwarted both sides in attack.
Wales covered the danger as Jackson chipped over the top for a leaping Layden in front of the posts.
There was little comfort for the Irish as they remained just two points ahead.
Wales duly managed to edge 6-5 ahead with 66 minutes on the clock. A bulldozing carry from prop Rob Evans sent Irish replacement Jake Cawley crashing to earth and set up a penalty which Lewis Williams knocked over.
A shaken Cawley was taken off with Reilly being reintroduced. From the restart, Ireland engineered a penalty but Jackson failed to find the target.
Nevertheless, the Ulster-capped out-half redeemed himself with a well-struck drop goal in the 70th minute and an inspirational kick to touch soon followed.
The energy was coming from Ireland again as the industrious Jack Conan, Conor Gilsenan and Tadhg Beirne carried the fight to the Welsh.
McGrath, who only turned 19 today, also stamped his mark on the game with a lively cameo. The former Ireland Under-18 captain punished a loose kick out of the Welsh defence by brilliantly slotting a drop-goal from outside the 22.
And in the final minute, McGrath succeeded in ripping the ball free from Iolo Evans’ grasp to clear it to touch and bring a breathless encounter to a close.
Scorers: Ireland: Try: Shane Layden; Drops: Paddy Jackson, Luke McGrath
Wales: Pen: Lewis Williams; Drop: Sam Davies
HT: Ireland U-20s 5 Wales U-20s 3
IRELAND U-20: Shane Layden (Buccaneers/Connacht); Barry Daly (UCD/Leinster), Foster Horan (Lansdowne/Leinster), JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohemians/Munster), Sam Coghlan Murray (UCD/Leinster); Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster) (capt), Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht); Kyle McCall (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Niall Scannell (Dolphin/Munster), Peter Reilly (Lansdowne/Leinster), Iain Henderson (Queen's University/Ulster), Daniel Qualter (Buccaneers/Connacht), Conor Gilsenan (UCD/Leinster), Aaron Conneely (Corinthians/Connacht), Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster).
Replacements used: Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster) for Marmion (53 mins), Tadgh Beirne (Lansdowne/Leinster) for Qualter (60), Christopher Farrell (Dungannon/Ulster) for Horan (62), Jake Cawley (Old Belvedere/Leinster) for Reilly (64-66), Jordan Coghlan (UCD/Leinster) for Conneely, Des Merrey (Clontarf/Leinster) for Scannell (both 73), James Rael (Garryowen/Munster) for McCall (74), Cathal Marsh (Dublin University/Leinster) for Daly (76).
WALES U-20: Ross Jones (Bridgend/Ospreys); Iolo Evans (Llanelli/Scarlets), Nathan Edwards (Bridgend), Cory Allen (Cardiff/Cardiff Blues), Luke Morgan (Bridgend/Ospreys); Sam Davies (Swansea/Ospreys), Jonathan Evans (Bedwas/Newport Gwent Dragons); Rob Evans (Llanelli/Scarlets), Kirby Myhill (Llanelli/Scarlets), WillGriff John (Cardiff/Cardiff Blues), Matthew Screech (Cardiff/Cardiff Blues), Rhodri Hughes (Swansea/Ospreys), Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff/Cardiff Blues), Daniel Thomas (Llanelli/Scarlets), Reuben Tucker (Cardiff/Cardiff Blues).
Replacements used: Ieuan Jones (Pontpool/Newport Gwent Dragons) for Tucker (49 mins), Lewis Williams (Pontpridd/Cardiff Blues for Davies (64), Thomas Davies (Cardiff/Cardiff Blues) for Evans (75), Luke Williams (Cross Keys/Newport Gwent Dragons) for Edwards (76). Not used: Jamie Sollis (Cross Keys/Newport Gwent Dragons), Dan Suter (Bridgend/Ospreys), Dan Crimmins (Cardiff), Joshua Davies (Newport/Newport Gwent Dragons).
