Ireland overcame Wales and atrocious second-half conditions to make it two wins from two in this year’s Women’s Six Nations with a 31-12 triumph.
The match was briefly halted as Storm Ciara hit Energia Park but that did not stop Adam Griggs’ side from maintaining their 100 per cent record.
Beibhinn Parsons who crossed for the decisive try in Ireland’s win over Scotland last weekend sparked her side into life with another stunning score on 16 minutes.
Lauren Delany also scored a fine solo try while front-row duo Cliodhna Moloney and Linda Djougang went over to extend Ireland’s lead.
Wales rallied with tries from Lauren Smyth and Siwan Lillicrap either side of half-time, but a late penalty try from Ireland wrapped up the bonus-point victory.
Ireland invited Wales into their own half when Michelle Claffey knocked on the kick-off and that was where the visitors stayed for the opening 15 minutes.
Wales had plenty of possession, but they were unable to turn pressure into points as Jasmine Joyce fumbled Robyn Wilkins’ chip and two attacking lineouts went astray.
It took a long swirling kick from Eimear Considine to finally relieve pressure before Parsons produced a moment of magic on 16 minutes.
After latching onto a loose ball, Parsons slipped off a tackle before beating two more defenders on her way to the try-line.
Claire Keohane failed to convert but out of nothing Ireland were 5-0 in front.
It was a big setback for Wales and they came under threat again after Wilkins’ kick was charged down.
Tighthead prop Djougang was getting into the thick of the action as she made a lung busting run before catching a loose lineout and then playing a role in Ireland’s second try on 27 minutes.
Djougang made a half-break before centre Sene Naoupu fed hooker Moloney who made a brilliant line.
There was no stopping Moloney as she got away from Smyth before touching down for her second score of the Championship.
This time Keohane did convert as Ireland moved in front 12-0 and they further extended their lead on 33 minutes.
After Edel McMahon, Keohane and Considine worked the ball to the left, Delany stepped inside and sprinted home from halfway for another superb unconverted score from the home side.
Prop Gwenllian Pyrs was then sin-binned for a high tackle on Ireland captain Ciara Griffin.
But Wales, with a player down, closed the gap to 17-5 with an unconverted try on the stroke of half-time.
Scrum-half Keira Bevan was brought down following a superb break before Smyth picked up the ball at the back of the ruck and crossed in the corner.
But it took Ireland just two second-half minutes to score their fourth try.
Lindsay Peat linked up with fellow prop Djougang who proved too strong for Wales, smashing through three tacklers to score. Keohane added the extras to make it 24-5.
Djougang was then forced to defend as she stopped hooker Kelsey Jones going over following a well-worked lineout move.
But Wales recycled and skipper Lillicrap drove over with Wilkins converting to reduce the deficit to 24-12.
With 54 minutes on the clock the heavens then opened, forcing both sets of players to stop.
Despite the heavy rain and gale force winds, the match continued on the 4G pitch and Ireland rose to the challenge.
Number eight Alice Caplice made a couple of surges into the 22 while Considine made a galloping run from deep.
Wales continued to plug away as the match entered the final 10 minutes, but Ireland held firm with Moloney starring at the breakdown.
The hosts threatened to score a fifth late on as Dorothy Wall broke through only to be tackled metres from the try-line.
And after a series of scrums Wales buckled under pressure and Ireland were awarded a penalty try at the death.
