Ireland 27 Canada 27

Despite scoring three tries in the first half, Canada could not hold onto a 13 point half time lead, allowing Ireland to fashion a 27-27 draw in the final match of the Irish tour of the America's.

Canada's Scott Stewart scored 17 points including a penalty late in the game to give Canada a 27-24 lead with ten minutes to go, but it was Ronan O' Gara's penalty in injury time that preserved a 27-27 draw for Ireland.

Canada opened the scoring in the first minute with a Winston Stanley try, after the fullback scooped a low pass from Kyle Nichols and scampered under the posts.  Scott Stewart converted to give Canada a 7-0 lead.

Irish fly-half David Humphreys scored his only points of the match with an 18 metre penalty at the six minute mark to narrow the Canadian lead to four.

Number 8 Phil Murphy, playing in only his fourth international had a rollicking run from 8 metres out, charging over the try line for his second test try.  Stewart converted to put Canada ahead 14-3.

Irish wing Shane Horgan scored a beautiful try, the result of a Kevin Magg's pass that put him into the corner.  Humphreys missed the conversion to make it 14-8 Canada.

The try of the match came after Morgan Williams fed the ball to Stewart who passed to flanker Gregor Dixon, who after a big inside out move, flicked it back to Stewart who chipped and recovered for the try that brought the capacity crowd of 6,000 to their feet.

Ireland responded with two second half tries including a huge 70 metre effort from Justin Bishop who scooped a Canadian knock on and galloped untouched, flanked only by speedy Canadian second row John Tait.  Replacement Paul Wallace scored the other try, following a hard charge up the middle that had Canada defending on their back foot.

But it as the sure footed kicking of Ronan O'Gara, who took over for Humphreys that preserved the tie for Ireland.  With Canada leading 27-24 following Scott Stewart second penalty of the second half, O'Gara slotted a 24 metre penalty at the 79 minute mark to even the tally.

Canada pressed hard in the final minutes but could not manage a shot at goal before referee Joel Dume blew full time.

Canadian team coach David Clark, while disappointed they did not come away with the win, still was pleased with a tie.

"We're just as comfortable with the draw, as Warren Gatland would be with his team.  He may not be happy with it, but it's a very good result for a damn good game of rugby."

Ireland coach Warren Gatland, thought that Ireland were fortunate to come away with the tie after Canada put such a solid first half together.

"I thought the second half we played extremely well.  We didn't play well at all in the first half, and in fairness to Canada they played very well.  They defended well, they took their opportunities, and unbelievably committed and gutsy performance from the Canadians.  I've got to take my hat off to them, I thought they played really well," said the New Zealander, who led his team to a 1-1-1 tour of the Americas, the only win being an 83-3 thumping of the USA last week.

Man of the Match:  Scott Stewart in only his fourth match as flyhalf for Canada kicked from the hand and at goal like he has been there for years.  His 17 points on three conversions, two penalties and a try were the key to the Canadian success.

Villain of the Match:  The soft pitch, made soggy after a solid week of rain, made what could have been extraordinary plays late in the game missteps instead.

Key Play of the Game:  The 7's like moves of Canadian flanker Gregor Dixon in his first full test as he made space for Scott Stewart on the chip through try.  Dixon will make good use of his 7's prowess in the 15's game.

The Teams:

Ireland:  1 John Hayes, 2 Keith Wood (c), 3 Justin Fitzpatrick, 4 Jeremy Davidson, 5 Mick Galwey, 6 Simon Easterby, 7 Andy Ward, 8 Anthony Foley, 9 Peter Stringer, 10 David Humphreys, 11 Shane Horgan, 12 Mike Mullins, 13 Kevin Maggs, 14 Justin Bishop, 15 Dominic Crotty
Reserves:  Bob Casey, Guy Easterby, Eric Miller, Paul Wallace, Geordan Murphy, Ronan O'Gara
Unused:  Frankie Sheahan

Canada:  1 Rod Snow, 2 Pat Dunkley, 3 John Thiel, 4 Ed Knaggs, 5 John Tait, 6 Ryan Banks, 7 Gregor Dixon, 8 Phil Murphy, 9 Morgan Williams, 10 Scott Stewart, 11 Sean Fauth, 12 Kyle Nichols, 13 Nik Witkowski, 14 Mark Irvine, 15 Winston Stanley
Reserves:  Dan Baugh, Duane Major
Unused:  Nick Milau, Kevin Tkachuk, Harry Toews, Jason Verstraten

Attendance:  6,000
Referee:  Joel Dume (France)

Points Scorers:

Ireland
Tries:  Horgan S. 1, Wallace P.S. 1, Bishop J.P. 1
Pen K.:  Humphreys D.G. 1, O'Gara R. 3

Canada
Tries:  Murphy P. 1, Stewart D.S. 1, Stanley W.U. 1
Conv:  Stewart D.S. 3
Pen K.:  Stewart D.S. 2