Ireland vs Scotland – Report – Six Nations Championship 2024 – 16 Mar, 2024،
Ireland held on to beat Scotland 17-13 in a thrilling match in Dublin on Saturday to win back-to-back Six Nations titles for the second time in 11 years.
After being denied a bid for successive Grand Slams last week, a sluggish Ireland looked in danger of relinquishing their grip on the title and giving England something to play for in Lyon after taking a lead unconvincing 7-6 at halftime.
Andy Farrell's side showed much more intent just after the break, pushing hard until Andrew Porter's 65th-minute try put daylight between the teams, only for a try late from Huw Jones and an Irish yellow card to set up a nervy finish.
The victory kept Ireland clear of second-placed England, assuaging the disappointment of another crushing World Cup quarter-final defeat and ensuring that the post-Johnny era Sexton starts with silverware.
“It’s very special, these days don’t come around very often,” captain Peter O’Mahony said.
O'Mahony had reminded fans after the Twickenham disappointment that Ireland would have given an arm and a leg for just one title not so long ago.
“We worked hard to get back to the World Cup. It was tough but it galvanized us. Coming back from this defeat shows the character we have in the group,” he added.
The veteran Munster striker, who was in tears during the anthems, said before lifting the trophy that this match could be his last for Ireland.
“If it was the latter, I’d be a happy man,” O’Mahony said.
The match was punctuated by nerves for the home fans, with Finn Russell putting Scotland 3-0 ahead after a disjointed first minute where the ball spent more time being kicked into the air than passing between hands.
The Scots gifted Ireland a first try with a horror show of a lineout five yards from their own line that flew past all the Scottish jumpers and into the arms of Dan Sheehan who strolled over for his fifth championship test.
The tired Irish attack was nowhere near as fluid as it had been earlier in the campaign, conceding eight early turnovers as the visitors blunted what little Ireland had to offer with organized defense.
The errors were not limited to Ireland, as neither team was able to control a forgettable first half.
Ireland roared back to life after the break, flyhalf Jack Crowley putting them four points ahead before prop Tadhg Furlong was denied a try following a close decision by the officials.
The home side continued to advance but struck twice with the try line beckoning as the subdued atmosphere of the first 40 minutes oscillated between choruses of “The Fields of Athenry” and nervous groans of the second.
After being held up on the line again, persistent Scottish fouls put replacement prop Ewan Ashman in the dustbin and the breakthrough came when the ensuing penalty was awarded to Porter who did the rest.
A yellow card for Ireland substitute Harry Byrne four minutes from time ensured a much nervier finish than Ireland would have liked, particularly when Jones reduced the deficit to four points, but the hosts held on and the celebrations began.
