Cardiff claimed a losing bonus point as they slipped to a 42-24 defeat to Leinster at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
The Welsh club showed plenty of attacking enterprise to score four tries courtesy of Harri Millard (twice), Thomas Young and Ellis Bevan but Leinster had far too much firepower. Leinster crossed for six tries with John McKee, Jack Boyle, Max Deegan, Luke McGrath, Charlie Tector and Rob Russell touching down.
Leinster dominated the opening stages but Cardiff's defence remained intact. But eventually Leinster broke the deadlock when hooker McKee powered over from short-range off the back of a well-worked driving lineout.
If the hosts thought they had broken Cardiff's resistance they were mistaken as the Welsh club his straight back.
A lovely flat pass from Sheedy allowed Cameron Winnett to slice open the Leinster defence before his pass found Millard who showed his pace to run in a try from 35 metres out. Cardiff had frustrated Leinster and were beginning to get a foothold in the game.
They enjoyed a period of pressure in the Leinster 22 and forced the Irish province to cough up a penalty in their own 22. Cardiff's ambition saw them turn down an easy shot at goal and after a series of powerful carries Young burrowed over the line to put the visitors into the lead.
Sheedy added the extras but Leinster were quickly back on the attack and it was only an outstanding tackle from Millard which held McKee up over the try line to save a try. But the hosts had the bit between their teeth and after Jimmy O'Brien and Hugh Cooney had made some inroads in midfield Ireland prop Jack Boyle touched down at the corner.
Byrne smashed over the conversion from the touchline to give the hosts a 14-12 lead at the interval. Leo Cullen
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