Even though they managed to score only two tries, Garryowen produced a fine performance and were well worth their victory at Dooradoyle last evening.
Both teams were short some of their best known players and Lansdowne were the worst affected.
Garryowen were a lot more fluid and their tries, from skipper Tom Tierney and centre Kevin Hartigan in the first half, were particularly well taken. Both were converted by Jeremy Staunton who also landed a penalty and Lansdowne replied with two penalties by David Quigley.
Staunton stretched Garryowen's lead to 20-6 late in the second half before flanker Gareth Molloy grabbed a consolation try.
GARRYOWEN: P McDonagh; S MacKay, K Hartigan, C Foley, M Roberts; J Staunton, T Tierney; N Hartigan, P Humphreys, R Laffan, A Kelly, I Leahy, P Neville, C Varley, J O'Sullivan. Replacements: J Giltenane for N Hartigan, J Brooks for Foley, K O'Riordan for Roberts.
LANSDOWNE: I Dolan; R Nyland, L O'Brien, M Woods, A O'Connell; D Quigley, S Whelan; C McEntee, G Molloy, S Rooney, G Quinn, S O'Connor, E Bohan, O Ennis, R Corrigan. Replacement: B Cusack for Quinn. Referee: B Smith (Munster).
