Munster U21’s Make it a Double Win in Galway

Munster U21 s made it a double win for Munster at the Sportsgrounds on Friday, beating Connacht 16-5.

IRFU U21 INTERPROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP

CONNACHT 5 MUNSTER 16

At a wet and windy Sportsground on Friday night, Munster U21’s maintained their winning start to the U21 Interprovincial Championship, with a hard won 16-5 victory over Connacht. Its their second away win, after defeating Ulster 17-5 win in Ravenhill last weekend, with Leinster left to play in the pool stages.

Having the benefit of the elements for the first half, Munster applied some early pressure but it took until midway through the half for the opening score, with a well struck penalty from Garryowen s Conan Doyle after sustained pressure on the Connacht line. This was to be the only score of the half despite chances for both sides.

After the restart a grubber kick from the Connacht went into touch 10m from the Munster line and from the resulting lineout, Connacht drove the Munster pack over the line for first try of the game. It was nip and tuck for the following 15 minutes, with some excellent defence on both sides, locking the score on 5-3. A Munster penalty on the Connacht 10 metre line was kick to touch and following numerous phases of play Captain Billy Holland drove over for a Munster try, converted by Conan Doyle, giving Munster a 10-5 lead. Just two minutes later, Munster increased their lead with a well struck penalty form Doyle. Although Connaught created some scoring opportunities, Conan Doyle sealed the victory with another penalty.

This was an excellent contest, played in appalling conditions and both sides deserved credit for the excellent standard of play. Munster s last pool game is against Leinster in Thomond Park at 7pm on Friday 16^th September, a game Munster have to win, to ensure that we qualify for the final on 24^th September in Buccaneers RFC.

MUNSTER U21 TEAM V CONNACHT

Replacements Used:

Richie Feeney (UL Bohemian) for Darragh Hurley, Michael O Hea (Garryowen) for Ben Nagle, Alistar Ross (Cork Constitution) for Eric Moloney

NOTES:

The 2005/6 Munster U.21 squad has twenty eight players on board from ten clubs and schools throughout the province. The squad includes nine players from UCC, four from Shannon, three each from UL Bohemian, Garryowen and Cork Constitution, two from Dolphin and one each from Highfield, Clonakilty, Crescent College Comprehensive, Limerick and Presentation Brothers College Cork. A number of players on the squad were involved in the IRB U19 World Championships in South Africa earlier this year, including Kevin Griffin, Barry O Mahony, Evan Ryan and Eric Moloney. Garryowen s Conan Doyle was part of the Irish U.21 squad that travelled to Argentina for the IRB U.21 World Championships in June.

The Munster U.21 team is coached by Buccaneer s Coach Geoff Moylan. David O Mahony (Dolphin RFC) and Paul Cunningham (Garryowen FC) are Assistant Coaches. The team is managed by Donal Brennan from Shannon RFC, with Ian Costello on board as Technical Advisor.