Ireland denied Australia a winning finish to their spring tour in Dublin, but it took every inch of effort to grind down a Wallabies team that defended bravely and very nearly rounded out a resurgent year on the best possible note.

DUBLIN (Reuters) -Ireland fought back from a halftime deficit to mark a 150th anniversary with a scruffy 22-19 victory over Australia on Saturday, sealing the victory in the last eight minutes and denying their former coach Joe Schmidt a winning return.

Ireland give head coach Andy Farrell a winning send-off before his secondment to the British and Irish Lions with victory over Australia in Dublin.

Ireland boss Andy Farrell signed off before his British and Irish Lions sabbatical in victorious fashion thanks to a nervy 22-19 comeback win over Joe Schmidt’s Australia in Dublin. Gus McCarthy’s late try helped the hosts narrowly come out on top against former head coach Schmidt in an engrossing encounter marking the 150th anniversary of Irish rugby.

It felt fitting, Andy Farrell’s favourite band soundtracking his final act as Ireland boss before he heads off to take charge of the Lions. There were smiles all round and pats on the back but this was not the sign-off Farrell wanted.

Ireland spoiled Joe Schmidt’s return to Dublin to end their Autumn Nations Series campaign on a high as Andy Farrell signed off for his British & Irish Lions sabbatical by scoring a psychological blow against Australia ahead of next summer’s three-Test series Down Under.