WVX Global Series
Ireland (24) 36
Tries: Elmes Kinlan, Moloney-MacDonald, Wafer, Higgins, King, Wall Cons: O'Brien (3)
USA (12) 40
Tries: Perris-Redding, Rogers, Treder (2), Taufoo, Tafuna Cons: Vogel (5)
The United States staged a remarkable second-half comeback to beat Ireland 40-36 in their WXV Global Series opener at Tallaght Stadium.
Scott Bemand's side raced into a comfortable lead after 20 minutes following tries from Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald and Aoife Wafer and went in 24-12 ahead at the break.
Erin King added a fifth try early in the second half as Ireland looked to be cruising at 31-12 up, but a loss of control and discipline aided USA, who under the guidance of their Irish head coach Jack Hanratty, managed to turn the game around.
Elmes Kinlan's yellow card was a turning point, with USA taking advantage of their numerical advantage as they scored four successive tries to take an unlikely win.
Impressive Ireland score four first-half tries
In the first women's rugby Test match to take place at the home of football team Shamrock Rovers, Ireland started with intent and, after persistent pressure, they made the breakthrough on seven minutes.
Bemand's side carved USA open with a slick passage of play as Moloney-MacDonald found Stacey Flood with a quick offload and she drove forward before feeding Elmes Kinlan, who finished in the corner.
Their second try arrived on 14 minutes with Moloney-MacDonald scoring off the driving maul before Wafer then forcing her way over soon after to further extend their advantage.
The Eagles, who were without Ilona Maher, responded well after that tough start and co-captain Georgie Perris-Redding got them on the scoreboard as she bundled over on 25 minutes, with teenager Bella Vogue nailing the conversion.
Ireland re-established their comfortable lead just two minutes after USA's try as Anna McGann galloped forward and offloaded to Eve Higgins to dot down, with Dannah O'Brien adding the extras.
USA came again at the other end and the experienced Hope Rogers crashed over after patient play to narrow the gap again before the break.
USA roar back in second half
Ireland started the second half as did the first and added a fifth try soon after the restart.
Robyn O'Connor darted forward and Erin King eventually grounded the ball with the try awarded after a TMO (television match official) review.
Ireland then dropped off and USA capitalised with Kathryn Treder scoring after peeling off a driving maul from the line-out.
Elmes Kinlan was then sent to the sin-bin for not rolling away quickly enough from a tackle and USA punished the hosts.
Treder was again on the scoresheet with a carbon copy of her first try and USA then edged in front for the first time on 69 minutes as Hallie Taufoou forced her way over with Vogel accurate from the tee to give them a two-point lead.
With momentum on their side, the USA pressed home their advantage with Freda Tafuna scoring the pick of their tries as she held off a number of Irish players before diving over.
Dorothy Wall got a late try for Ireland as the clock ticked into red, but they were unable to add another with their last attack of the game as USA turned the ball over and held out for a fine win.
Bemand's side will now look to bounce back in their next game against Japan in Galway on 27 September.
Line-ups
Ireland: Flood; O'Connor, Dalton, Higgins, Elmes Kinlan; O'Brien, Lane; O'Dowd, Moloney-MacDonald, Djougang, Wall, Tuite-O'Sullivan, Adams Verling, King (capt), Wafer
Replacements: Jones, McGrath, Cahill, Clohessy, Hogan, Reilly, McGann, Gallagher
USA: Canett; Uhatafe, Hann, Heinrich, Coulibaly; Vogel, Paton; Rogers, Treder, Sagapolu-Senele; Taufoou, Ehrecke; Humphreys, Perris-Redding (co-capt), Tafuna.
Replacements: Leatherman, Hill-Huse, Woods, Jarrell-Searcy (co-capt), Bailey, Zackary, Bargell, Mason.
