|
| Leinster's Shane Byrne leads the charge at Donnybrook |
Leinster maintained their 100% record in the Celtic League and more importantly took maximum points from this interprovincial in what, in the end, turned out to be quite a large margin of victory over Ulster in Donnybrook this evening.
The homeside punished early Ulster carelessness in defence to go into half time with a seven point advantage.
Full back Paddy Wallace decided to take am early throw in five metres from his own line. The ball was low, short and easy pickings for Ireland’s Malcolm O’Kelly who robbed and touched down unopposed for the opening try.
David Humphries and Leinster outhalf Nathan Spooner traded penalties until the 27th minute when a wonderful Brian O’Driscoll pass gave Gordon Darcy an overlap form which he ran home from 25 metres.
Humphries responded for Ulster with an exceptional peanalty goal, but undeterred Leinster immediately cancelled out his efforts through a Girvan Dempsey drop goal.
On the brink of half-time Leinster’s Shane Byrne was sin-binned for impeding Ulster possession and Ulster full back Wallace made some amends for his earlier error by kicking the resulting penalty.
Spooner had restoreed Leinster's ten point lead when Ulster's Mark Blair was sin-binned for an off the ball incident.
Leinster made them pay through Gordon Darcy's second try in the 63rd minute which followed some good work from Eric Miller.
Leinster gained their bonus point when Denis Hickie scored their 4th try five minutes into injury time, rubbing some extra salt into a ragged Ulster's wounds. Spooner converted taking his tally to three kicks from six on the night.