Cullen try does the trick as Lansdowne survive late scares

A FINE try nine minutes from the end of a competitive All-Ireland U21 semi-final at Temple Hill last night was enough to see Lansdowne through to a meeting with either UCD or Clontarf later this month.

Winger Neil Cullen got the crucial score in a match that was hard fought from start to finish, Lansdowne surviving two late scares when Cork’s Darragh Dunne missed two late penalty chances from difficult angles.

Lansdowne held most of the territory and possession in the opening quarter but their best chance of scoring came when Craig Ronaldson was afforded an 18th-minute penalty. He pushed it wide and Con were glad to have survived in the face of intense pressure, one brilliant tackle on Cullen by full-back Cathal Quinn helping them to keep a clean sheet.