THE significance of the Leinster Senior Cup has been thoroughly diluted in recent years. But, for 80 minutes on the back pitch at headquarters on Saturday, this was not the case.

This was a knock-out and it showed. In this respect, Lansdowne were the side intent on prolonging their already draining season.

Terenure, however, almost stole a march. Ciaran Clarke was the architect of much of Terenure's finer passages of play from the unaccustomed position of out-half and his precisely weighted kick enabled full back Girvan Dempsey to poach the first try on three minutes. Then Derek Hegarty smacked over a penalty.

Lansdowne began to exert pressure, however, through the O'Connor brothers out of touch and back rowers Aidan MeCullen and Colin MeEntee. This prompted the ultra consistent Eric Elwood to hit two penalties, before Clarke guided a left footed drop goal between the posts. Elwood added two penalties to give Lansdowne a 12-11 lead at the interval.

It was the home side's turn to get out of the blocks quickly on the restart. David O'Mahony got over from close in. But, Terenure have been used to making the best out of limited possession all year.

Powerhouse right wing David Coleman put the finishing touches to a spectacular movement for Peter Walsh to convert. Lansdowne regrouped. An incisive break from the fleet-footed Marcus Dillon opened the way for Brian Glennon to score and Elwood's fifth penalty made it 27-18.

Clarke's breath-taking solo try with ten minutes of normal time remaining kept the game alive, until Mark MeDermott buried the visitors after an intricate Lansdowne movement that saw several players handle. Dempsey's second touchdown arrived too late to make a difference.