Cardiff Blues conceded a attempt within the closing minute to bomb out of the Challenge Cup regardless of having a one-man benefit for nearly half the sport.
It appeared as if they’d saved themselves when fly-half Jarrod Evans landed a late drop aim to place them forward.
But within the final play of a nine-try thriller, Aussie Curtis Rona went over to steal the spoils for the house aspect, who now journey to Bath within the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.
London Irish triumphed regardless of having prop Will Goodrick-Clarke despatched off for a head excessive sort out on 46 minutes after which being diminished to only 13 men for ten minutes when wing Ben Loader was yellow carded.
The Blues capitalised on their numerical benefit to guide 32-20 with simply eight minutes to go.
But the 14 men of Irish staged a exceptional late surge to win this massively eventful final 16 conflict.
To add a worrying footnote to a disappointing night, Wales flanker Josh Navidi was in a sling after the match having picked up a shoulder damage within the closing play.
Blues director of rugby Dai Young stated: “It’s precautionary, however he doesn’t go in a sling calmly. He’s taken a bang, however hopefully it’s not too critical.”
In what was an actual rollercoaster experience of a recreation, it was 17-13 to the guests on the break thanks to 2 tries in three minutes halfway by the primary half.
Ambition was rewarded for the primary as they took a fast faucet, with hooker Kristian Dacey ploughing over low to the bottom, as Josh Turnbull latched on to him.
It was the twenty ninth attempt of Dacey’s Blues profession, which is a few haul for a entrance rower.
Then, for the second, it was improbable work from second row Seb Davies within the build-up.
After combining with Dacey off an Irish turnover simply outdoors his personal 22, he pounded upfield with the ball in a single hand.
Then the schoolboy centre confirmed nice consciousness and talent, placing in a perfectly judged cross-kick for Josh Adams to chase.
The predatory Wales wing did the remaining, nudging the ball on along with his boot and touching down.
It was six minutes into the second-half that the crimson card got here as London Irish loosehead prop Goodrick-Clarke was despatched off for a excessive sort out on Blues tighthead Dillon Lewis.
Willis Halaholo challenges the London Irish line
(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)
Georgian referee Nika Amashukeli judged that he lead along with his head and made contact with the top of Lewis, so there was solely going to be one final result, with the Blues extending their lead from the ensuing penalty.
Despite being down a person, Irish struck with a well-worked attempt for wing Ollie Hassell-Collins, with Jackson including the conversion from extensive out to stage the scores.
But they then discovered themselves diminished to 13, with winger Loader yellow carded for a number one elbow to the throat of Tomos Williams
The Blues quickly made their two-man benefit depend with a attempt.
Using the total width of the pitch, they struck by alternative wing Jason Harries, who was put over by a beautiful lengthy go from Willis Halaholo.
The guests they gave themselves additional respiration area, with one other sub, scrum-half Lloyd Williams, crossing to make an on the spot affect off the bench.
Fellow alternative Harries arrange the rating, breaking a sort out and feeding Williams who threw a dummy to go over, with Evans changing.
Surely that was that.
But again got here Irish with tries from alternative centre Terrence Hepetema and wing Hassell-Collins as soon as extra to arrange a grandstand end and a dramatic conclusion.
What a recreation. What a foul consequence for the Blues.
London Irish: Tries – Loader, Hassell-Collins (2), Hepetema, Rona; cons – Jackson (5); pens – Jackson (2)
Cardiff Blues: Tries – Dacey, Adams, Harries, Lloyd Williams; cons – J Evans (3); pens – J Evans (2); drop aim – J Evans
London Irish: Tom Parton; Ben Loader, Curtis Rona, Theo Brophy Clews, Ollie Hassell-Collins; Paddy Jackson, Nick Phipps; Will Goodrick-Clarke, Agustin Creevy, Lovejoy Chawatama, George Nott, Matt Rogerson (capt), Blair Cowan, Albert Tuisue.
Replacements : Matt Cornish, Facundo Gigena, Oliver Hoskins, Chunya Munga, Ben Donnell, Sean O’Brien, Ben Meehan, Terrence Hepetema.
Cardiff Blues: Matthew Morgan; Josh Adams, Rey Lee-Lo, Willis Halaholo, Hallam Amos; Jarrod Evans, Tomos Williams; Corey Domachowski, Kristian Dacey, Dillon Lewis, Seb Davies, Cory Hill, Josh Navidi, James Botham, Josh Turnbull (capt).
Replacements : Liam Belcher, Rhys Carré, Dmitri Arhip, Rory Thornton, Olly (*14*), Lloyd Williams, Ben Thomas, Jason Harries.
