Second half tries by Ciara Griffin helped Ireland secure a 15-12 win over Japan at the RDS. Griffin on her final appearance in green inspired her side to a tough win in difficult conditions in Dublin.
Trailing 12-3 at the break, they fought hard to reduce the deficit with Griffin chasing a knockdown to add the first, before crossing from an advancing maul ten minutes later to put them ahead.
Ireland got the opening score of the afternoon in the 6th minute, the boot of Enya Breen landing a three pointer in front of the posts.
The visitors had applied the pressure early on, and forced a defensive error which gifted their opening try, as 18 minutes had elapsed on the clock, they broke clear from half way as Mana Faruta received the offload and crossed over, making it 5-3
Things got worse for the Irish outfit midway through the opening half, Hannah O’Connor shown a straight red card as the TMO had adjudged, she led with her head for a high challenge.
Sasuka finished the half with the flurry, they had put the pressure on the Irish defence, and with a player down they could do little to stop Japan knocking on the door, after the phases played out Seina Saito got over behind the maul, to make ot 12-3 at the interval.
Ireland looked much the better as the second half started, just five minutes after the restart Ciara Griffin on her final appearance in green, blocked a kick and chased the deflection into the area to reduce the deficit, 12-8.
Griffin added her second ten minutes later, the inspirational veteran getting over after some well worked play, after a quick TMO check Breen kicked the conversion to give Ireland a 15-12 lead.
Aoife Doyle looked to have crossed for their third try, after she chased down an effort but the referee brought it back for a knock on, Lauren Delany with a knock on in the build up during the phases.
Down to 14 players and nine points behind they dug deep to win, Griffin bows out on a player of the match display, her final act in green motivating her team to another big win.
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.