Ireland fight back after Leach hits 92
The day began with Leach at the crease alongside Rory Burns after the pair were tasked with surviving one over the previous evening. While Burns perished to Boyd Rankin for six, Leach and debutant Jason Roy took control of proceedings over the course of the opening session.
Both batsmen advanced to their maiden Test fifties, taking England to lunch healthily placed on 122/1, the scores level. Leach, with a first-class batting average of 10.97 prior to this match, impressed with a boundary-laden innings, while Roy was typically aggressive, improving upon his maiden Test knock of five on Wednesday.
5️⃣0️⃣ for nightwatchman Jack Leach, and England's 💯 is up!
— ICC (@ICC) July 25, 2019
A heroic effort from him so far! Could he get a hundred?!#ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/3p9SfsHoWS
The aggressive Roy perished for 72, bowled by Stuart Thompson, but Leach continued to find the rope as he advanced into the nineties, the prospect of three figures at the Home of Cricket in his sights. Having been dropped by Gary Wilson earlier on in his innings, it appeared that it might be Leach's day when Mark Adair let go of a tough chance in the slip cordon off the left-hander. Fortunately for Ireland, three balls later, Leach edged once more off Tim Murtagh, handing Adair a chance at redemption, and he took it gratefully.
What followed was a re-run of sorts for England, as they collapsed in similar fashion to their display on day one. Joe Denly was called for a run before being sent back by skipper Joe Root, and Denly paid the price to be run out for 10. Jonny Bairstow fell for a six-ball duck and while Moeen Ali survived a pair, he could add only nine to England’s score as he edged behind to continue his disappointing run of form with the bat.
Ireland have come roaring back!
— ICC (@ICC) July 25, 2019
Four wickets in that session mean England are five down, leading by 87.
Joe Root is still there. Can he help build an imposing lead?#ENGvIRE LIVE 👇https://t.co/fyHbjx2IoF pic.twitter.com/Nsqy6mCCPG
Ireland’s momentum kept growing; Root and Chris Woakes both fell to the impressive Adair to leave England in further trouble, with seven wickets having fallen for 77 runs.
Sam Curran halted the rot with a 29-ball 37 that featured two sixes, and Stuart Broad also struck some lusty blows to help take England’s lead to 181 before bad light, followed by rain, brought a premature end to the day’s play.
England's final batting pair will resume tomorrow with the side 303/9.