Brian O’Meara notched three first half penalties for the home side, opening his account in the fifth minute and concluding the period with a 35-metre effort to give Leinster a 9-6 interval lead.

Connacht created enough chances to win the game but enjoyed little good fortune and in the end two Leinster tries in the second-half sealed the
issue.

Connacht got a perfect start with an Eric Elwood penalty after just two minutes but Leinster responded with two penalties from Brian O¹Meara after 6 and 13 minutes.

Connacht were unlucky not to get a couple of tries in that opening half with Tom Carter crossing the home line but Welsh referee Hugh Watkins did not see him his efforts at grounding the ball with Leinster full back Brendan Burke making the covering tackle.

Elwood added another penalty on the stroke of half-time but O¹Meara responded with another kick moments later.

Leinster had Des Dillon and Emmet Byrne sin-binned either side of half-time but Connacht were unable to punish the home side despite some excellent moves.

The game turned in Leinster¹s favour after 59 minutes when Matthew Leek broke through for a converted try and they wrapped up the issue seven
minutes later when Aidan Kearney crossed for their second try.

The victory was sourced slighly by a late injury to Burke. Burke, who signed a new two-year contract this week, had to be taken off with a swollen ankle 10 minutes later to increase Leinster’s injury woes.