O’SULLIVAN CARRIES THE FIGHT TO GARRYOWEN AS LANSDOWNE EDGE THRILLER
TALENTED young flanker Jack O’Sullivan turned in a man-of-thematch performance as unbeaten Lansdowne beat Garryowen 32-22 in a seven-try on the back pitch at the Aviva Stadium.
O’Sullivan (right) emptied the tank in the Division 1A shootout as an ever-willing carrier and tackler, the home pack’s graft laying the platform for a quartet of tries from centres Harry Brennan and Mark O’Keefe (2) and influential hooker Tyrone Moran – three of which came in a powerful second-half performance.
The bonus-point return keeps Mike Ruddock’s men three clear of Terenure College at the summit, while Garryowen, who led 17-10 at half-time thanks to tries from Peadar Collins and James McInerney, have slipped to fifth.
Terenure were 27-21 bonus-point winners over 14-man Buccaneers at Lakelands Park thanks to second-half tries from Kevin O’Neill, Jake Swaine and replacement Adam Clarkin.
Young Munster secured the result of the day in Division 1A with a 51-7 thrashing of St Mary’s College at Tom Clifford Park. Munster Academy back rower Gavin Coombes scored two of the Cookies’ seven tries. Calvin Nash, Shane Airey and Mike Madden were standouts for Gearoid Prendergast’s side.
In-form centre Matt D’Arcy crossed for his sixth league try as Clontarf won a cracker with UCD, taking home a bonus point in a 31-24 triumph at the Belfield Bowl. Garry Ringrose and Ross Byrne’s younger brothers, Jack and Harry, both started for the home side.
Cork Constitution’s forward strength was the key to a convincing 28-3 bonus-point defeat of hosts Dublin University at College Park. Their maul was hugely effective with Lar Coughlan, Conor Kindregan, Ross O’Neill and Jack McHenry sharing out the tries.
Meanwhile, in Division 1B, unbeaten Shannon extended their lead at the top to seven points by beating rivals Banbridge 33-14 at Thomond Park. Munster’s Duncan Casey (2) and Sean McCarthy scored three of the hosts’ five tries.
After starting at scrum-half for Ulster last week, Aaron Cairns captained Ballynahinch to an 18-10 win over Naas. Provincial colleagues David Busby and Peter Browne both crossed the whitewash for ’Hinch who now lie second.
Old Belvedere skipper Ed Rossiter raided for a try in their 18-13 success at home to UL Bohemians, with Eddie O’Sullivan’s side now unbeaten in four games. Nineteen-point full-back Jack Maybury notched two tries in Old Wesley’s 34-5 dismissal of Dolphin, which has moved them out of the bottom two.
UCC remain hot on the heels of the top four after pipping Ballymena 35-34 in an eight-try encounter at Eaton Park. Centre Murray Linn’s 63rd-minute try, coupled with James Taylor’s third successful penalty, saw the Cork students prevail.