THE AIB All Ireland Cup got off to the best possible start with a thrilling hard fought Preliminary Round game being won out by the holders following extra-time at Temple Hill.

Lansdowne put in a huge effort throughout and will be disappointed that they didn't win out. Twice they looked to have snatched victory late on in normal time courtesy of a Mana Ashford drop goal and a try by winger Niall Walsh that Ashford set up and which was converted by Robbie Dolan.

On each occasion, Con' had a necessary reply with replacement out-half Dara Lyons matching Ashford's drop goal effort with one of his own and right at the death Cronan Healy, who had an outstanding game for the Lilywhites dived over in the corner to level matters.

It was Constitution who proved to have greater stamina in extra-time, Paul McKee and Captain Frank Cogan getting the vital tries, both converted by Lane.

CORK CONSTITUTION D Hurley; R Lane, T Gleeson, D O'Kane, C Healy; C Quaid, P McKee; Tom Ryan, D Murray, Tim Ryan ; J Moloney, S O'Connor; M O'Connell, B Cutriss, F Cogan (capt) Subs D O'Leary for O'Kane, 14 mins; C Murphy for Ryan, 64 mins; E Leamy and D Lyons for Moloney and Quaid, 74 mins LANSDOWNE R Dolan; N Walsh, C Casey, G Stafford (capt), J Lyons; M Ashford, S Whelan;

J Lyne, K Corrigan, P Doran Jones; A Maher, D Toner; R Boucher, N Ronan, R Jones Subs A McCormack for Casey, 51 mins; K Cleere for Doran-Jones, 54 mins; G O'Meara and M Warburton for Corrigan and Maher, half-time;

B O'Shea for Ronan, 88 mins