LEINSTER, the defending champions, moved a step closer to retaining their title, with a comprehensive win over Connacht in Athy RFC on Saturday.
From the kick off, Leinster took control and were eight points up after 15 minutes thanks to a Derek Darcy penalty and Jim Ferris try.
Two further Derek Darcy penalties in the 31st and 37th minutes, gave Leinster a 14-0 interval lead. Left wing Mark Fitzgerald ran in a 45 minute try and 10 minutes later, intense Leinster pressure yielded a penalty try, to put the home side 26 points clear.
Tries from Connacht's Richard Caulfield and Des McHugh, converted by Aidan O'Halloran, made it 26-12.
Leinster's Padraig Brennan scored under the posts and Richie Kelly capped a marvellous personal performance with a try in the dying minutes.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)