AIL DIVISION ONE A:A HAT-TRICK of tries from Cian Ahern paved the way for Lansdowne's victory over St Mary's College at Templeville Road last night.

League leaders Lansdowne took a the lead on 14 minutes when outhalf Craig Ronaldson touched down following a quick ball from the scrum by John Cooney. Scrumhalf Cooney was also instrumental in their second try three minutes later when he broke and produced a perfect offload for winger Cian Ahern to touch down in the right-corner.

Steve Toal Lennon missed a penalty for St Mary’s at the end of the half. However a brace penalties by Lennon reduced the deficit to six 12 minutes after the restart. The decisive score arrived on 57 minutes when St Mary’s fullback Conor Hogan had his clearance charged down by Ahern, who subsequently beat Hogan to the loose ball to secure his second try. A penalty by replacement Gavin Dunne six minutes from time did offer St Mary’s hope but tries from Ahern, and substitute Mark Roche sealed victory.

ST MARY'S COLLEGE: C Hogan; R Crotty, S Toal Lennon, M O'Driscoll, C Lilly; A Burke, M DArcy; C McMahon, Richard Sweeney, J McGrath, C Ruddock, G Sexton, D Keller, G Austin, K Sheehan. Replacements: Robert Sweeney for McMahon (47 mins), R O'Loughlin for Sexton (56 mins), A Lyons for McGrath (68 mins), G Dunne for Burke (68 mins).

LANSDOWNE: R McCarron; C Ahern, S Gahan, S Carey, C Toolan; C Ronaldson, J Cooney; J O'Connell, T Sexton, M Moore, M Feeley, W Earl, C Ross, C Butterworth, R Boucher. Replacements: T Beirne for Earl (51-76 mins), M Roche for Carey (56 mins), S Collins for Sexton (68 mins), P O'Driscoll for Toolan (71 mins), R Prenderville for O'Connell (79 mins).

Referee: D Wilkinson(IRFU).