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 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.

Gus McCarthy crashed over at the back of a rolling maul for the clinching try, ensuring Irish rugby's 150th birthday party wasn't spoiled by the Wallabies.

Ireland pulled off an impressive comeback against Australia in their Autumn Nations Series clash at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday, clinching a 22-19 victory.