Irish end Four Nations league with defeat

Ireland 16 Scotland 24

An Ian Dowling inspired comeback in the second half was not enough for Ireland as they ended their rugby league Four Nations campaign in disappointing fashion against Scotland at Navan on Saturday night.

The damage was done in the first half as the Scots, trying to avoid the wooden spoon, ran riot, scoring 20 points without reply.

David Simms' early try got the Bravehearts off the mark and Barry Edgar and Andy Brown added further tries later in the half. The reliable boot of Andy McPhail kicked two conversions and two penalties.

By the midway point of the second half, Dowling had halved the deficit with two tries and a penalty but 10 minutes from time Calum Anderson put the Scots out of sight with a breakaway try.

Although Dowling completed his hat trick in stoppage time, it was mere consolation for the Wolfhounds.