Ireland scored three tries and Ronan O'Gara kicked 16 points in a 31-5 win over Wales in the Six Nations on Sunday.
Last year's grand slam winner Wales was playing its first match since Mike Ruddock surprisingly quit as coach two weeks ago. Scott Johnson, Wales' caretaker coach, also lost captain Gareth Thomas for the rest of the tournament with a neck injury.
"The goings on over the last couple of weeks have not been of concern to me or the team," Johnson said. "Our primary focus has been on the game. It is out of our hands and will never come into our hands and nor will it be an excuse. Other people can worry about that. We don't make excuses."
Wales has lost twice in this year's competition. It fell 47-13 to England in the opening round before beating Scotland 28-18. It is now fifth in the standings -- behind England, France, Ireland and Scotland.
Wales flyhalf Stephen Jones had a bad day. He missed a second-minute penalty goal and the conversion for Mark Jones' try six minutes later, then came off injured after 20 minutes.
Jones was replaced by Gavin Henson, who was making his first appearance in this season's Six Nations after serving a suspension.
Ireland got its first points through an O'Gara penalty and David Wallace crossed soon after. O'Gara missed the conversion but added a penalty for Ireland to have a 11-5 halftime lead.
Ireland made it 18-5 early in the second half when Shane Horgan crossed and O'Gara converted. O'Gara added two more penalties for a 24-5 lead.
Peter Stringer scored Ireland's third try in the final minute, with O'Gara converting.
Ireland beat Italy, then lost 43-31 to France. It hosts Scotland before playing its last match against England at Twickenham. Wales' last two games are at home, against Italy and France.
On Saturday, Scotland wrecked England's grand slam hopes with an 18-12 triumph and France beat Italy 37-12.
After five losses to England in a row, Scotland outkicked Andy Robinson's team at Murrayfield, with Chris Paterson making five penalties out of five and Dan Parks landing a drop goal. All England had to offer in reply were four Charlie Hodgson penalties.
France made it two victories in a row after its surprise loss to Scotland.
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