Eddie O'Sullivan's side won 12 of their 14 games this season

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan paid tribute to his side as they ended a long season with an emphatic victory over Samoa in Apia on Saturday.

In soaring temperatures, O'Sullivan said that Ireland played the game to perfection in holding on to possession and dictating the pace of the game.

Fly-half Ronan O'Gara set a new Irish record in scoring 32 points from a brace of tries, five penalties, a drop goal and converting a two of Ireland's three tries.

"I think we were clinical with our possession," said O'Sullivan who in his first full season in charge saw Ireland win 12 of the 14 Tests.

"I think we defended very well when Samoa tried to speed the Game up.

"But we were aware that we had to do that because Samoa are very dangerous as we saw in the first half.

''They got one break from the first mistake we made in the first half and they scored.

''It was a great lesson early in the game. We were prepared for that mentally and physically. And I think we did a good job.

We made too many mistakes and you cant win without the ball Samoa assistant coach Michael Jones

''We had a few glitches, but over the 80 minutes we really dominated field position and possession. You could not ask for more in temperatures of 35 degrees.''

However, Samoa assistant coach Michael Jones was not too impressed with his side.

"I've never seen our boys make so many mistakes in one game," said Jones, bemoaning his side's lapses in concentration.

"Ireland thoroughly deserved their win. They played really smart and they capitalized on our mistakes.

"We made too many mistakes and you cant win without the ball."