Ulster Bank League: Division 1A Review - LANSDOWNE vs CORK CONSTITUTION

LANSDOWNE 20 CORK CONSTITUTION 25, Aviva Stadium back pitch


Former Munster lock Brian Hayes scored his third try in as many games as Cork Constitution toppled Lansdowne 25-20 on the Aviva Stadium's back pitch.

The gap between the clubs in the Division 1A table - Constitution remain third overall - is now just four points after the Leesiders outscored the headquarters side by three tries to two.

A tightly-contested first half ended 7-5 in Lansdowne's favour, the hosts determined to bounce back from last week's disappointing 12-3 reversal at the hands of Clontarf.

After a penalty miss from the usually reliable Scott Deasy, Lansdowne were held up over the line before their potent scrum forced a penalty try with 25 minutes on the clock.

But the Cork Con forwards knuckled down and following a series of pick and goes, the ball was moved wide for winger Rob Jermyn to run in an unconverted score.

Scoring opportunities were at a premium in the third quarter during which Tomas Quinlan sent over a penalty from the 22-metre line and his opposite number Deasy replied after another penalty-winning scrum.

Deasy, the top flight's leading scorer with 145 points before kick-off, increased his influence with a well-struck penalty in the 63rd minute to open up a 13-8 advantage.

Crucially, last year's runners-up replied within two minutes and in stunning fashion. Hooker Max Abbott intercepted a pass and charged 40 metres to the line for a morale-boosting try converted by out-half Quinlan.

The nip and tuck nature of the game continued when Ireland Sevens international John O'Donnell finished a breakaway seven-pointer for a 20-15 lead with 10 minutes remaining.

Again, though, Brian Hickey's men were able to hit back almost immediately. That man Hayes showed his pace and power to gallop down the wing and score. Quinlan coolly converted and tagged on a 75th minute penalty, and a dogged defensive stand in the dying embers saw Constitution hold fast-finishing Lansdowne at bay.