Holland double secures Con win

Greystones 10 Cork Constitution 19

Greystones' first home match in Division One for 13 years ended in defeat today as Cork Constitution's Munster-capped flanker Billy Holland touched down twice in a 19-10 win for last season's runners-up.

The sides were locked level at 7-7 at half-time at Dr Hickey Park. Con winger Cronan Healy grabbed a sixth-minute intercept try while centre Conor Cleary replied for the hosts in the 26th-minute.

Reinhard Gerber converted Cleary's try and kicked a second half penalty but Holland's two scores, the second converted by Daniel Nethery, saw the Leesiders maintain their winning start to the new campaign.

Having never beaten Con in the AIB League and shipped an opening day defeat to Dolphin, 'Stones needed a big performance to chalk up their first win since their long-awaited return to the top flight.

Colin McEntee's young side had spells of domination but Con's greater experience and defensive strength was key as they notched their third win in three league meetings with the Wicklow men.

Against the run of play, Con took the lead. A loose pass in midfield was seized upon by Healy, and the AIB Club international player had the pace to run in from the 22-metre line for a try which Munster's Jeremy Manning converted.

However 'Stones were not overawed and after a decent phase of possession, with the pack gaining some good yardage, prop Jamie Hagan was sent through the middle on a crash ball run.

'Stones then worked a maul drive before a quick switch of play led to an overlap on the right and Cleary cantered over for his try.

But by the hour mark, Con had built up what was a match-winning lead at 19-10 as Holland's tries, both off close range drives, edged them clear.

'Stones never gave up hope but their attempts to gain a losing bonus point in injury-time, with them running them ball out of their own 22, were in vain.

Scorers:

Greystones: Try: Conor Cleary; Con: Reinhard Gerber; Pen: Reinhard Gerber

Cork Constitution: Tries: Billy Holland 2, Cronan Healy; Cons: Jeremy Manning, Daniel Nethery.