Lansdowne qualified for the semi-finals of the Smithwicks Old Belvedere Floodlit Cup last night when they overcame the holders Blackrock thanks to a penalty in the closing minutes from Rory Kearns.
While the game lacked the intensity of Tuesday night's encounter between Buccaneers and Wanderers, it also appeared to be heading for extra time before Kearns's well-struck kick from wide on the right sailed over.
Blackrock, who had enjoyed more than their fair share of possession throughout, had a good chance to level matters four minutes into injury time but David Lynagh pushed his penalty to the right.
A strangely subdued Lansdowne side appeared content to soak up the pressure in the first half and Blackrock deservedly led 12-3 coming up to half-time. However, after a good break by Colin McEntee in midfield, Parry Mandel scampered clear for a try converted by Kearns to cut the deficit to two points.
Another Kearns penalty and a try by centre Dave O'Mahony put Lansdowne 20-12 in front going into the last quarter. Blackrock made most of the running for the rest of the game and Lynagh cut the gap to one score with his fourth penalty. Indeed, Dave Moore dived over from close range to tie the match five minutes from time before Kearns landed Lansdowne's winner.
Scorers: Lansdowne: P Mandel, D O'Mahony try each, R Kearns 3 penalties, 2 conversions; Blackrock: D Lynagh 4 penalties, drop goal, D Moore try.
Lansdowne: B Quinn; M Dillon, R Kearns, D O'Mahony, R Killian; W Clancy, J Woods; E Bohan, B McCoy, M Meredith, W Ahearne, A Freeman, S Rooney, P Mandel, C McEntee. Replacements: S Brady for J Woods (55 mins), A McKeen for M Meredith (61 mins).
Blackrock: A Guinan; P Dunne, M Roche, B Scally, S Mooney; D Lynagh, N Assaf; P Slavin, S Byrne, J Connery, J Ryan, R Sheehan, D Hackett, P Linn, D Moore. Subs: M Cuffe for Connery (half-time), D Kavanagh and K Murphy for P Slavin and Linn (45 mins).
Referee: P Fagen (ARLB)
An understrength London Irish side were overpowered, 52-7, by the New South Wales Waratahs at Sunbury last night. Out-half Simon Amor scored a solitary try for the exiles.
