Munster Players In Weekend Action

Four Munster players featured in Ireland’s 32-15 defeat to Australia in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday with a number of development and academy players involved with their clubs at the weekend.

Paul O’Connell captained Ireland with Peter O’Mahony also in the first XV, Conor Murray and Stephen Archer both came off the bench in the disappointing loss.

Development hooker Duncan Casey and academy players Greg O’Shea and Niall Horan started for Shannon as they were beaten 20-17 by Garryowen in the semi-final of the ODM Financial Munster Senior Cup.

The academy’s Sean McCarthy also featured off the bench as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.

Academy winger Alex Wootton started for Garryowen who will now face Cork Con in the final after Con beat UCC at the Mardyke in the other semi-final.

Munster academy’s Johnny Holland starred for Cork Con contributing 16 points in a 21-11 win for the Temple Hill side.

Another academy player, scrum-half Brian Haugh played as Young Munster saw off Highfield 27-18 to progress to the final of the ODM Cyril Fitzgerald Plate.