All-Ireland League Division 1A: Lansdowne V Young Munster – Irishrugby.ie – March 3 2019

DIVISION 1A

LANSDOWNE 25 YOUNG MUNSTER 24

THE EVER-DEPENDABLE Scott Deasy came to the rescue of defending All-Ireland League champions Lansdowne as his late penalty guided them to a tense 25-24 victory over a stubborn Young Munster side on the Aviva Stadium’s back pitch today.

Trailing 17-5 early in the second half, the relegation-threatened Cookies strung together unanswered tries from Tom Goggin, Luke Fitzgerald and Conor Hayes to move ahead. However, Lansdowne held their nerve during a frantic finish and Deasy coolly slotted over a 73rd minute penalty to keep his side in second place and on course for a home semi-final.

Eager to bounce back from last week’s surprise defeat at Terenure College, Lansdowne laid down a marker in the very first minute. Peter Sullivan, who was released through a gap by fellow winger Daniel McEvoy, raced clear for his ninth try of the Division 1A campaign which Deasy converted. Although conditions were not necessarily conducive to fast open rugby, both teams made rich contributions to an enthralling encounter.

Ireland Under-20 head coach Noel McNamara was present to keep a watchful eye on Munsters’ Conor Phillips and Billy Scannell, and winger Phillips closed the gap to 7-5 with a superb catch of a Shane Airey cross-field kick on the left wing. Deasy’s smart tactical kicking enabled Lansdowne to regain control and he nailed a 25th penalty to double the lead.

The home side added their second try approaching half-time, a series of forward drives ending with former captain Ian Prendiville powering over to make it 17-5 at the break. Despite losing flanker Jack O’Sullivan to the sin-bin, Lansdowne extended their lead with Prendiville completing his brace in the 45th minute. Their formidable front row contained Prendiville, Martin Mulhall and recent Leinster debutant Ronan Kelleher.

Nonetheless, once Munsters found themselves with a numerical advantage again, they produced a stunning scoring blitz to turn the game on its head. Second row Goggin finished clinically in the 54th minute, an oustanding break nearing the hour mark was rounded off by centre Fitzgerald, and Hayes, a late addition to the starting XV on the right wing, also got on the end of a multi-phase attack in the 64th minute.

A brace of Airey conversions gave Gearoid Prendergast’s charges a 24-22 advantage and suddenly a fourth league win was on the cards. There was plenty of life left in Lansdowne, though, and they were a different proposition once restored to their full complement. They lifted the tempo to create a close-in penalty opportunity which Deasy turned into a crucial three points.

The Limerick men were unable to respond in a closely-fought finale as Lansdowne held out by the slenderest of margins. UCC’s victory at the expense of Shannon will ramp up the pressure on Munsters, although the two points they gained in the capital could prove invaluable in their quest to retain their top flight status.

Lansdowne scorers: Tries: Ian Prendiville 2, Peter Sullivan; Cons: Scott Deasy 2; Pens: Scott Deasy 2

Young Munster scorers: Tries: Conor Phillips, Tim Goggin, Luke Fitzgerald, Conor Hayes; Cons: Shane Airey 2

LANSDOWNE: Eamonn Mills (capt); Daniel McEvoy, Harry Brennan, Tom Roche, Peter Sullivan; Scott Deasy, James Kenny; Martin Mulhall, Ronan Kelleher, Ian Prendiville, David O’Connor, Oisin Dowling, Jack O’Sullivan, Tom Murphy, Willie Earle.

Replacements: Greg McGrath, Ntinga Mpiko, Jack Dwan, Tim Murphy, Conor Murphy.

YOUNG MUNSTER: Alan Tynan; Conor Hayes, Derek Corcoran, Luke Fitzgerald, Conor Phillips; Shane Airey, Stephen Kerins; Conor Bartley, Ger Slattery, Keynan Knox, Tom Goggin, Alan Kennedy (capt), Fintan Coleman, Conor Mitchell, Diarmaid Dee.

Replacements: Billy Scannell, David Begley, Alan Ross, Evan O’Gorman, Clayton Stewart.

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