REPRESENTATIVE MATCH/England Counties 29 Ireland Clubs 25:A BRACE of tries from Shannon winger Stephen Kelly failed to secure a battling win for the Irish in this thrilling encounter. Trailing 26-3 at the break, David O'Mahony's side ran in four second-half scores to edge to within four points of their hosts before time ran out on their dazzling fightback.
It was always going to be tough for the visitors after shipping two tries in the opening four minutes, London Scottish winger David Howells and scrumhalf Luke Baldwin going over.
A penalty from Dolphins outhalf Barry Keeshan reduced the arrears on eight minutes only for the English to bag two more tries before the turn through London Scottish full-back Frankie Neale.
It was a different tale after the break though with Shannon hooker Michael Essex and teammate Kelly touching down soon after the restart as the visitors finally found their feet on a slippery Stourton pitch.
More pressure resulted in Galwegians winger John Cleary diving over in the corner and although Sam Ulph replied with a penalty, Kelly bagged his second and was just denied a hat-trick late on by Steve Parsons.
ENGLAND COUNTIES: Neale; Ulph, Harrison; Jewell, Howells, Brown, Baldwin; Williams, Graham, Heard, Owen, Bason, Legge, Fox, Powell. Replacements: Riley for Jewell (58 mins); Parsons for Howells, Hall for Graham, Warren for Heard (all 66 mins). Not used: Harris, Nash, Richardson.
IRELAND CLUBS: OShea; Cleary, Moloney; Ryan, Kelly, Keeshan, Cronin; Gately, Essex, Shawe, Huntly, Walsh, Leyden, OMahony, Cogan. Replacements: Hogan for Cogan (61 mins), Crawford for Huntly (65 mins), Dundon for O’Mahony. Not used: Condon, Sheridan, Fitzpatrick, Scanlon.
Referee: Andrew McMenemy (Scotland)
