Lansdowne edge past gritty Galwegians

Lansdowne 31 Galwegians 25

Lansdowne edged a 56-point thriller at headquarters' back pitch as fly-half Andy Tallon grabbed 21 points in this victory over a gritty Galwegians.

Prop Kevin Corrigan helped Andy Doyle's side into a 5-0 early lead, but 'Wegians edged a tight first half - 10-8 - with John Cleary touching down and English recruit Tom Allen kicking the conversion and a 30-metre penalty.

A second Tallon penalty after the restart saw Lansdowne assume a lead they failed to relinquish as lock Alan Maher and Tallon ran in tries.

John Culkin, Allen and Littleton chalked up a deserved bonus point for the Connacht side, but Tallon's superb kicking - which included a well-taken injury time drop goal - gave new coach Doyle his first win.

Scorers:

Lansdowne: Tries: Andy Tallon, Alan Maher, Kevin Corrigan; Cons: Andy Tallon 2; Pens: Andy Tallon 3; Drop gl: Andy Tallon

Galwegians: Tries: John Culkin, John Cleary, Tom Allen, Jamie Littleton; Con: Patrick Noble; Pen: Patrick Noble