Paul Kiernan came back to haunt his boyhood club as Lansdowne launched their Energia Men's All-Ireland League campaign with a dramatic 16-11 win over defending champions Cork Constitution.
After a Mark Boyle try had brought the hosts level on the Aviva Stadium’s back pitch, it looked like these Division 1A heavyweights were going to have to settle for a share of the spoils.
That was until centre Kiernan, who featured prominently in the underage ranks for Cork Con, pounced in the final minute, with a sharp run to ghost through a gap and claim the match-winning try.
It was Constitution’s first league defeat since March 2019, ending a run of 18 victories. However, the losing bonus point could be an important one in the long run.
Garryowen are the league leaders after the opening round, stunning a slow-starting Dublin University with a 35-10 bonus point triumph at College Park.
The Light Blues were in clinical form, Munster’s Liam Coombes helping himself to a brace of tries. Ennis youngster Tony Butler took to top-flight rugby like a duck to water, kicking 15 points from out-half.
Second-placed Terenure College racked up five tries in dispatching UCC 37-13 at the Mardyke. Centre Stephen O'Neill starred with an impressive double, including a length-of-the-field effort.
Clontarf marked their AIL return with a confidence-boosting 29-12 bonus point success against UCD. Leinster Academy graduate David Hawkshaw scored a try and kicked nine points.
Young Munster blitzed Ballynahinch 29-7 with two tries in each half at Tom Clifford Park. A beautiful chip from Evan Cusack played in Conor Hayes for the first try, with outhalf Cusack going on to kick nine points.
Meanwhile, Ulster speedster Aaron Sexton marked his Malone debut with an outstanding try as they moved straight to the top of the Division 1B.
Sexton sidestepped and accelerated through for a smashing score from just inside the Navan half, as the Cregagh Red Sox ran out 30-17 winners over the Meath men.
Centre Shea O'Brien bagged two tries in City of Armagh's 20-10 defeat of Banbridge, while new signing James Taylor kicked 11 points as Highfield triumphed 21-17 over St. Mary's.
There was late drama at Energia Park where centre Eoin Deegan's last-gasp try saw Old Wesley pip Shannon 23-22.
In a tight finish to Friday's opener between Old Belvedere and Naas, winger Billy O'Hora broke through for a decisive late try in Belvo's 16-13 win.
All-Ireland League round one results
Division 1A
Clontarf 29 UCD 12
Dublin University 10 Garryowen 35
Lansdowne 16 Cork Constitution 11
UCC 13 Terenure College 37
Young Munster 29 Ballynahinch 7
Division 1B
Banbridge 10 City of Armagh 20
Highfield 21 St Mary’s College 17
Malone 30 Navan 17
Old Wesley 23 Shannon 22
Old Belvedere 16 Naas 13
