Lansdowne win table-top battle and forge clear

Ulster Bank All-Ireland League: Lansdowne will enjoy the festive period that little bit more than their Division 1A rivals after defeating Young Munster 30-24 in a supercharged top of the table clash on Saturday.

Mike Ruddock’s men hold a four-point lead at the Ulster Bank League’s halfway point, with only third-placed Young Munster able to match the headquarters club’s haul of six try-scoring bonus points this season.

Two of Lansdowne’s four tries on the day came from Daniel McEvoy, with his fourth score of the campaign, and fellow winger Marc O’Keefe, who has touched down three times in two games. But they needed a late penalty from Scott Deasy to hold off the fast-finishing Cookies.