Lansdowne ace Kiernan ends old club’s unbeaten run

PAUL KIERNAN came back to haunt his boyhood club as Lansdowne launched their Energia Men’s All-Ireland League campaign with a dramatic 16-11 win over defending champions Cork Constitution.

After a Mark Boyle try had brought the hosts level on the Aviva Stadium’s back pitch, it looked like these Division 1A heavyweights would settle for a draw.

That was until centre Kiernan pounced in the final minute, with a sharp run to ghost through and grab the winning try.

It was Constitution’s first league defeat since March 2019, ending a run of 18 wins.

Garryowen are the league leaders after the opening round, stunning Dublin University with a 35-10 bonuspoint triumph at College Park.

The Light Blues were in clinical form, Munster’s Liam Coombes helping himself to two tries. Ennis youngster Tony Butler kicked 15 points from out-half.

Second-placed Terenure College racked up five tries in dispatching UCC 37-13 at the Mardyke. Centre Stephen O’Neill starred with an impressive double, including a length-of-field effort.

Clontarf marked their AIL return with a 29-12 bonus point-success against UCD. David Hawkshaw scored a try and kicked nine points.

Young Munster blitzed Ballynahinch 29-7 at Tom Clifford Park. A beautiful chip from Evan Cusack played in Conor Hayes for the first try, with out-half Cusack going on to kick nine points.

Meanwhile, Ulster speedster Aaron Sexton marked his Malone debut with an outstanding try as they moved straight to the top of Division 1B.

The Cregagh Red Sox ran out 30-17 winners over Navan.

Shea O’Brien bagged two tries in City of Armagh’s 20-10 defeat of Banbridge, while James Taylor kicked 11 points as Highfield beat St Mary’s 21-17.

There was late drama at Energia Park, where centre Eoin Deegan’s last-gasp try saw Old Wesley pip Shannon 23-22.

In a tight finish to Friday’s opener, Old Belvedere beat Naas 16-13.