A late Dannah O’Brien penalty secured victory for Ireland in their final Women’s Six Nations tie at Ravenhill on Saturday in a victory that secured Ireland a place in next year’s World Cup.
With Wales having surprised Italy in the early kick-off, this tie effectively became a World Cup qualification play-off, as the winner of this was going to finish third in this year’s Six Nation’s table, which brings with it automatic qualification to next year’s World Cup in England.
Scotland got off to a bright start, with them capitalizing on a couple of soft penalty concessions by Ireland to work a lineout down the right touchline, and when their maul began to rumble Ireland could not prevent hooker Elis Martin from crashing over in the 8th minute for the opening score of the game.
Ireland kept chipping away, however, with Scotland continuing to concede penalties due to the pressure the home side were exerting, but Ireland couldn’t capitalize and were incredibly disappointed to go in at half-time trailing 0-5 after being inside the Scottish 22 on four occasions in that opening half.
Ireland head coach Scott Bemand must have issued stern words in the dressing room, as Ireland came out looking like a different team, with them scoring in the 42nd minute after number eight Brittany Hogan had released Katie Corrigan down the right touchline to score in the corner .
Unfortunately for Ireland, the score seemed to spark Scotland into life too, with full-back Meryl Smith putting Lisa Thomson away to score under the sticks in the 50th minute.
The Ireland lineout continued to malfunction, but in the 59th minute they managed to get one to stick 5m from the Scottish line, and when the maul started to gather momentum it could not be stopped, with Clíodhna Moloney managing to fall over the line. Dannah O’Brien then brilliantly converted from the touchline, and we were level.
We entered the last 10 minutes deadlocked, and when Ireland were awarded a penalty 25m out from the Scottish posts a shot at goal was the only choice to make, and especially so when you have O’Brien as your kicker, as she split the posts in the 74th minute to give Ireland the lead for the first time.
The Scots came roaring back, with Beibhinn Parsons being unbinned in the last minute for a deliberate knock-on, but Ireland survived to register a famous win, while simultaneously booking their World Cup place.
D O’Brien (1 pen, 1 con), K Corrigan, C Moloney (1 try each).
H Nelson (1 try), E Martin, Lisa Thomson (1 try each).
M Deely; K Corrigan, E Higgins, E Breen, B Parsons; D O’Brien, A Reilly; L Djougang, N Jones, C Haney; D Wall, S Monaghan (co-capt); A Wafer, E McMahon (co-capt), B Hogan.
N O’Dowd for C Haney (40), C Moloney for N Jones (46), S Ikahihifo for E McMahon (72).
M Smith; C Grant, E Orr, L Thomson, F McGhie; H Nelson, C Mattinson; L Bartlett, E Martin; C Belisle; E Wassell, L McMillan; R Malcolm (capt), A Stewart, E Gallagher.
M McDonald for C Mattinson (11), E Clarke for C Belisle (47), E Donaldson and R McLachlan for L McMillan and A Stewart (58), M Wright and L Cockburn for L Bartlett, E Martin (63).
Natarsha Ganley (NZR)
