Cork Constitution Pipped To All Ireland League Title

Lansdowne completed a League and Cup double with a 19-17 victory over defending champions Cork Constitution in the All Ireland League final at the Aviva Stadium.

Lansdowne laid the ground work for this victory with a superb display by the pack and the accuracy of their kicker Scott Deasy.

In a closely contested opening half, Tomas Quinlan and Deasy exchanged penalties in the opening seven minutes. Quinlan edged Con’ ahead with two penalties before Deasy replied with two of his own to half the sides level.

Con’ were back in front with a well worked try with Brian Hayes touching down in the corner but Quinlan missed the side line conversion.

Con’ were now in control and a penalty from Quinlan extended the defending champions lead to 17-12.

That lead only lasted four minutes as Tyrone Moran barged over for a Lansdowne try and Deasy’s conversion edged the table toppers in front for the first time with twenty minutes remaining.

Quinlan had a chance to restore Con’s lead in the 66^th minute but his penalty effort just was wide of the target.

Lansdowne pinned Con’ back to record their third league success.

Lansdowne: Eamonn Mills; Foster Horan, Harry Brennan, Mark O’Keeffe, Adam Leavy; Scott Deasy, Alan Bennie; Peter Dooley, Tyrone Moran, Ian Prendiville (capt), Josh O’Rourke, Jack Dwan, Jack O’Sullivan, Aaron Conneely, Willie Earle.

Replacements: James Rael, Ntinga Mpiko, Barry Fitzpatrick, Charlie Rock, Charlie McMickan, Ian Fitzpatrick, Greg McGrath.

Cork Constitution: Shane Daly; Liam O’Connell, Alex McHenry, Niall Kenneally (capt), Rob Jermyn; Tomas Quinlan, Jason Higgins; Brendan Quinlan, Vincent O’Brien, Ger Sweeney, Brian Hayes, Conor Kindregan, Evan Mintern, Joe McSwiney, Luke Cahill.

Replacements: Dave McCormack, Gavin Duffy, Dylan Murphy, Ross O’Neill, JJ O’Neill, Aidan Moynihan, Gerry Hurley.

Referee: D Wilkinson (IRFU).