Jones goes between two players for Wales' first try.

By Ian Laybourn, PA Sport

Ronan O'Gara emerged from the bench as the Irish hero, grabbing the desperate injury-time drop goal which kept their fans singing and their side's Grand Slam bid on track against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Ireland were mightily relieved to hang on by the narrowest possible margin after mounting a frantic rearguard action to deny the Welsh and keep themselves in contention for the Grand Slam and the RBS 6 Nations title when England visit Lansdowne Road next Sunday.

Wales, who have not beaten Ireland in Cardiff for 20 years, played with a fiery passion, producing the better side of their Jekyll and Hyde nature to almost snatch the most unlikely victory of the Six Nations campaign.

"Bring on the English," chanted the Irish fans after their team squeaked through, but it was much more a cry of relief than a confident expression of hope.

Man of the match Stephen Jones, who had set the game alight with a scintillating first-half try, looked to have sealed it for Wales when he put them 24-22 ahead with a coolly side-footed 45-metre drop goal just after the four minutes of injury time were announced.

But the joyous cheers of the Welsh fans were abruptly silenced as O'Gara turned the tables again to have the final say in a pulsating and passionate Celtic clash.

But even after his decisive blow Wales launched a defiant last assault which stretched Ireland to the limit.

They were forced to defend with everything they had as Jones looked for one final strike. The Llanelli fly-half was pressurised into putting a hurried drop kick wide as the Irish hordes converged on him was then forced to abort the next attempt and run the ball before his hurried third attempt was charged down by replacement John O'Kelly.

No wonder the Irish players collapsed to the turf in a mixture of exhaustion and elation at the final whistle.

Ultimately flanker Keith Gleeson's double try-strike either side of half-time and the dependable boot of David Humphreys provided the cushion to see them through.

Humphreys kicked four penalties before making way for O'Gara.

But Eddie O'Sullivan's team knew they had a match on their hands from the moment Jones struck in the 17th minute.

Wales had already lost wing three-quarter Mark Jones in the 10th minute as this season's sad injury saga continued and were trailing to Humphreys' first penalty when they took a gamble and fortune favoured the brave.

Wales opted against going for goal with a penalty and their enterprise paid off as they won the line-out before Jones burst for the line, crashing through tackles by Peter Stringer and Geordan Murphy for a full-stretch finger-tip touchdown finally awarded after referee Steve Lander called for a video reply.

Jones converted to put Wales 7-3 ahead and Ireland knew they had a match on their hands.

Humphreys landed two penalties to restore their lead as Wales, battling to contain the more purposeful and powerful running of the Irish through the middle, conceded penalties under pressure.

Gleeson looked to have put Ireland comfortably in control in a three-minute spell punctuated by half-time.

An electrifying burst of pace by Irish full-back Murphy, who produced a superb kick and chase forced Wales to concede a line-out two metres from their own line. Justin Bishop stumbled with the line at his mercy, but the green tide kept the move going for Murphy to send Gleeson over in the left-hand corner in first-half injury time.

Two minutes into the second half Wales full-back Rhys Williams fumbled the ball to hand Ireland the offensive and Humphreys supplied the pass for Gleeson to dive over in the right-hand corner this time.

Wales skipper Jonathan Humphreys' final international on home soil ended with his side trailing 19-7 but the introduction of Pontypridd hooker Mefin Davies for his sixth cap produced immediate results as he had a hand in the two tries which put Wales right back in contention.

Rhys Williams and Davies, who flicked up the final pass as he hit the ground, combined to send Cardiff flanker Martyn Williams over in the 53rd minute for a try which Stephen Jones converted.

Then, after Irish captain Brian O'Driscoll had a try ruled out by the video referee and Humphreys kicked his fourth penalty, Wales struck again.

Once again Mefin Davies was involved before Gareth Thomas, always willing to come inside and strive for the opening, scored Wales' third try.

He may not be the quickest winger in international rugby but he showed he takes some stopping with the line in his sights.

Wales, two points adrift but 3-2 ahead on tries, knew they held their destiny in their own hands but then came the cruel final shoot-out which left them distraught and Irish eyes smiling ahead of next weekend's clash with the English in Dublin.

Teams

Wales: R. Williams, M. Jones, Taylor, Shanklin, G. Thomas, S. Jones, G. Cooper, I. Thomas, Humphreys, Jenkins, Llewellyn, Sidoli, Charvis, M. Williams, D. Jones.

Replacements: Watkins for M. Jones (10), Harris for Taylor (62), Peel for G. Cooper (51), M. Davies for Humphreys (43), Madden for Jenkins (76).

Not Used: S. Williams, G. Thomas.

Tries: S. Jones, M. Williams, G. Thomas.

Cons: S. Jones 3.

Drop Goals: S. Jones.

Ireland: Murphy, Bishop, O'Driscoll, Maggs, Hickie, Humphreys, Stringer, Horan, S. Byrne, Hayes, Cullen, O'Kelly, A. Quinlan, Gleeson, Foley.

Replacements: O'Gara for Humphreys (70), Fitzpatrick for Horan (76), O'Callaghan for Cullen (70), Miller for Foley (32).

Not Used: Sheahan, G. Easterby, Kelly.

Tries: Gleeson 2.

Pens: Humphreys 4.

Drop Goals: O'Gara.

Att: 72,000

Ref: Steve Lander (England).