Scott Deasy’s 100th All-Ireland League appearance was destined not to be a happy one as the
AIL Title holders went down to a 35-26 loss against a battling Terenure College side at
Lakelands Park last Saturday.

Not for the first time in past seasons the home pack, battling for their Division 1 survival,
made it an uncomfortable afternoon for the visitors and their desire to win and aggression at
ruck time outshone the bigger Lansdowne forwards.

This resulted in Terenure winning turn-overs at key times and, overall, gaining a well-
deserved success. With two wins in their last three matches, they have increased their chances
of avoiding the drop considerably.

For Lansdowne, it was a case of a poor start and, having recovered, some critical lapses in
concentration at vital times which ultimately cost them the match. This was after they had
battled their way back to achieve what twice looked like a match-winning position, only to
lose it again in a gripping second half that was both exciting and highly entertaining.

Terenure had the better of the early exchanges and were rewarded with a two-try start
following tries from left winger Conor Kelly and young Under 20 centre Adam La Grue, who
looks, on this performance, like a serious prospect. Out half James Thornton converted the
second as the lively Terenure backs put their side into a 12-point lead.

Lansdowne’s Ian Prendiville received a temporary break from proceedings for 10 minutes for
obstruction courtesy of ref Mark Patton, who had failed to penalise the home side for not
retreating after a kick ahead from Thornton hadn’t travelled the required 10 metres.

Mr. Patton, who otherwise had a fine match, was again guilty of failing to penalise the D6
side following the same offence by Terenure only minutes later, this time after home scrum
half Jamie Glynn put the ball in the air over his own head.

Overcoming this frustration and led by the always-valiant Willie Earle in the second row –
the Lansdowne pack raised its game as half time approached.

Home No. 8 Eoin Joyce joined Prendo in the bin as the Lansdowne thrust gained momentum
and the pressure came on. A good attacking move down the left saw a ‘Nure hand bat down
what looked like a scoring pass, and the ref ran under the posts to award a penalty try to
Lansdowne. It was pretty apparent that already having a player in the sin bin saved the
Lakelanders from suffering another loss of personnel.

The half-timer whistle gave a well-earned 12-7 score line to the home side at the break.

Lansdowne’s third quarter strength once again emerged, and an intercept try four minutes
after the resumption by powerful winger Peter Sullivan – his eight of the season – saw him
cross under the posts for Deasy to add the extras and put his side ahead for the first time, 14-
12.

A Thornton penalty saw ‘Nure briefly regain the lead, 15-14, before scrum half Tim Murphy
set up No. 8 Joe O’Brien to power over the line and snatch back the advantage, 19-15, with
only 11 minutes of the second half played. Scott duly increased the lead by 2 points to 21-15
with his conversion, and Lansdowne were, as they say, beginning to look good.

Disaster struck from the restart, however, and a knock on off the restart went straight into a
Terenure forward’s hands. Two brilliant supporting off-loads later the home side were across
the Lansdowne line through second row Stephen Caffrey. Thornton hit the upright with the
conversion to put his side to within one point of the lead, but home tails were up even if they
were still a point down.

Lansdowne were still reeling from this concession when Terenure took advantage of a
penalty line out to set up a series of attacking plays which brought them into the visitor’s ’22.
Centre La Grue then made a pacey break to the right and set up winger Jack Swaine for a top-
class finish by the home backs. 25-21 to the ‘Nure after 56 minutes and the crowd was
finding it hard to breathe, such was the non-stop pace of the action.

Not to be outdone, Lansdowne came back again and regained the lead, this time with a try
from now hooker Ian Prendiville, notching his third of the season and third ever AIL try,
taking advantage of the absence of Terenure flanker Harrison Brewer in the sin bin for a high
tackle.

Prendo had switched into the middle of the front row as sub-hooker, with Greg McGrath
slotting in at tight head in a new Lansdowne front-row format, Ntinga Mpiko having come on
at loose head on his welcome return from injury.

However, the home side were not to be denied and again it was the pacey La Grue who did
the damage, making an excellent break and outstripping the cover to set up Swaine’s second
try. Thornton converted and later tagged on a penalty to deprive Lansdowne of a losing bonus
point as they went down 35-26.

5 tries to 4 saw the visitors come away with a try bonus point, however, although their lead
over Clontarf in third place was reduced to 5. Much to play for when we host Young Munster
this coming Saturday afternoon!

Match Report: Michael Daly

Match Details: Ulster Bank AIL Division 1A Round 13: Terenure College v. Lansdowne FC

Venue:  Lakelands Park

Date: Saturday 23nd of February 2019

Referee: Mark Patton

Score: Terenure 35 Lansdowne 26

Scorers: Terenure College: Tries: Conor Kelly, Adam La Grue, Stephen Caffrey, Jake
Swaine 2; Cons: James Thornton 2; Pens: James Thornton 2
Lansdowne: Tries: Penalty try, Peter Sullivan, Joe O’Brien, Ian Prendiville; Cons: Scott
Deasy 2, Pen try con

HT: Terenure College 12 Lansdowne 7

TERENURE COLLEGE: Tim Schmidt; Jake Swaine, Adam La Grue, Stephen O’Neill,
Conor Kelly; James Thornton, Jamie Glynn; Conor McCormack, Robbie Smyth, Jack
Aungier, Michael Melia (capt), Stephen Caffrey, Harrison Brewer, Paddy Thornton, Eoin
Joyce.

Replacements: Risteard Byrne, Tiarnan Creagh, Matthew Caffrey, Erik Wijten, Mark
O’Neill.

LANSDOWNE: Eamonn Mills (capt); Daniel McEvoy, Harry Brennan, Tom Roche, Peter
Sullivan; Scott Deasy, Tim Murphy; Martin Mulhall, James Rael, Ian Prendiville, Willie
Earle, David O’Connor, Jack O’Sullivan, Aaron Conneely, Joe O’Brien.

Replacements: Ntinga Mpiko, Greg McGrath, Tom Murphy. James Kenny, Conor Murphy.