Garryowen fall to rampant Lansdowne

Lansdowne 30 Garryowen 13

Captain Ross McCarron struck for two tries as Lansdowne registered their third win in four Ulster Bank League games, overcoming Garryowen on their home patch.

Fergal Lawlor kicked the Light Blues into an early lead, but Craig Ronaldson made and converted the opening try for Lansdowne’s Cian Aherne.

Ronaldson recently played for the Leinster Development side alongside a number of his Lansdowne colleagues, and the talented out-half had a pivotal role in today’s victory.

The headquarters outfit added a second try soon after, with classy full-back McCarron finishing off another well-worked back-line move.

Ronaldson landed two penalties either side of the break to move Mike Ruddock’s men into a decisive-looking 18-3 lead.

Credit to Garryowen they never allowed their heads to drop and they came back into contention with a brace of tries - replacement Ian Hanly and experienced back rower Paul Neville were the scorers.

But Willie Earle, who was sprung from the bench, sandwiched Lansdowne’s third try in between those efforts as he burst through from 25 metres out.

Fittingly, McCarron had the final say as he sealed a five-point return for his side with another spate of loose tackling giving the Lansdowne attack enough room to strike.

Scorers: Lansdowne: Tries: Cian Aherne, Ross McCarron 2, Willie Earle; Cons: Craig Ronaldson 2; Pens: Craig Ronaldson 2

Garryowen: Tries: Ian Hanly, Paul Neville; Pen: Fergal Lawlor

HT: Lansdowne 15 Garryowen 3