McHugh’s late thumper gets Ireland off on the right foot

Ireland A 24 England A 21

A cannon blast of a penalty goal from the halfway line by Mark McHugh with the last kick of an exhilarating contest found the target and saw the home side to a sensational victory over England in the A international at a packed Donnybrook last night.

It was the kind of gutsy and spirited performance the senior side will need to produce tomorrow if they are to pull off the Grand Slam but the result won’t do the slightest bit of harm in building up morale.