The 31-year-old Dempsey, who was making his 69th appearance for his country, took a bang to his arm and was forced off at the half-time interval with Gordon D'Arcy replacing him. However he has since been passed fit to be included in the Leinster squad for next Saturday's Magners League trip to Ulster.

Ulster's Paddy Wallace dots down his first try for Ireland at the North Terrace end. The Ballymena clubman said: "It was great actually to be involved in the send off for Lansdowne Road and to be out there at the end. It was a privilege to be part of it."

The former Campbell College schoolboy collected 26 points - a try, six conversions and three penalties - to mark his second Test cap in style. In November 2001, Wallace kicked six penalties and converted one of Anthony Horgan's tries for a 20-point haul in a 43-30 defeat for Ireland 'A' against the All Blacks at Ravenhill.

Wallace collides with an advertising hoarding after racing in for Ireland's second try during the first half. Wallace's promotion into the Irish team was the culmination of a lot of hard work from the 27-year-old who has broken his leg and collarbone in the past.

With the assistance of locks Paul O'Connell and Malcolm O'Kelly, Llanelli flanker Simon Easterby reaches high to claim a lineout ball at Lansdowne Road. Sunday marked Easterby's 52nd appearance in green. His two tries against the Islanders, taking his Test tally to six, were his first in over four years.

Simon and his brother Guy, the Leinster scrum half, qualify for Ireland by virtue of their mother Katherine who hails from Blackrock in Dublin. She played hockey for Ireland. The brothers both started playing rugby at Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire, with Simon progressing to Llanelli via Harrogate, Sydney University and Leeds.

Malcolm O'Kelly, whose Irish caps record now stands at 83, secures lineout possession for Ireland. The Essex-born O'Kelly was only four years of age when legendary centre Mike Gibson set the previous record mark of 69 caps.

Injuries and form permitting, the 32-year-old could be the first Irishman to break the 100-cap barrier. Eddie O'Sullivan's Irish side have a guaranteed 13 Tests to play in 2007, and more should they qualify for the World Cup's knockout stages.

**All photos by Inpho Pohotgraphy**

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