Munster Schools U18’s and U19’s Double Victory

Munster Schools U18’s and U19’s both defeated Ulster in their Interprovincial games on Friday. The U18’s won by 20-19 while the U19’s had a comprehensive 54-13 victory

Schools U18 Interprovincial- Munster 20 Ulster 19

Schools U19 Interprovincial- Munster 54 Ulster 13

It was certainly a game of two halves at Musgrave Park on Friday when Munster Schools U18’s defeated Ulster 20-19. Munster scored all their points in the first half and completely dominated with the second half mirroring the first but with Ulster in the driving seat. Having beaten Connacht 12-6 in their opening tie of the series last week at the Sportsgrounds, Munster came to the game today knowing they were facing a dynamic Ulster side that had demolished Leinster 31-17 last week.

Playing with a strong wind in the first half Munster dominated from the outset, threatening the Ulster line from early on. With Ulster starved of possession, and Munster creating some excellent chances in the opening period, Munster didn t put their first score on the board until the 17^th minute when Munster centre Scott Deasy converted a penalty. The centre pairing of Eamonn Broderick and Scott Deasy proved a constant threat to the Ulster defence and it was a cutting break by Broderick in the 20^th minute that set up winger Ronan O Mahony for Munster s first try. Deasy converted to give Munster a 10-0 lead. O Mahony picked up a second try four minutes later with a sniping break that saw him touch down under the posts which Deasy again converted. Deasy added another 3 points to his tally shortly before the half hour mark to complete Munster s scoring for the day as a rejuvenated Ulster started to make inroads. Ulster narrowed the deficit after some solid work by the pack just before half time with a try from flanker Paul Smyth which Andy Moore converted to leave the score 20-7 at the break.

The second half begun exactly as the first had, but instead the tables were turned and it was Ulster who camped on the Munster line. Six minutes into the half Ulster winger Adam Craig was denied a try after a cover tackle from O Mahony. With 13 minutes gone in the second half Ulster prop Paul Karyiannis went over for a try to narrow the gap to 20-12. Four minutes later Munster could do nothing against an excellent break by Ulster centre Jamie Smith who offloaded to full back Peter Glass who touched down, with Moore converting. With the score at 20-19 the sides remained locked for the rest of the half. At 27 minutes and in the last minute of the game two missed penalty attempts by Ulster were a let off for Munster, who held on for the victory despite the sustained pressure from the visitors.

Munster U18 s travel to Dublin next Friday to play Leinster, aiming for their third victory in the competition.

Referee:

Eanna O Dowd (ARLB)

TJ 1: Nessan Frawley (MAR)

TJ 2: Bob Anglim (MAR)

Munster Schools U18 Team

15. Sean Scanlon, Crescent College Comprehensive, 14. Ronan O Mahony, Castletroy College, 13. Scott Deasy, Presentation Brothers College, 12. Eamonn Broderick, St. Munchin s College, 11. Shane Costigan, Presentation Brothers College, 10. Richard Mullane, St. Munchin s College, 9. Diarmaid Upton, Crescent College Comprehensive 1. David Kilcoyne, Ard Scoil Ris, 2. Michael Sherry, Ard Scoil Ris, 3. Stephen Archer, Christian Brothers College, 4. Ken Hanley, Crescent College, Comprehensive, 5. Ian Nagle, Glenstal Abbey School, 6. Ian Duffy, Rockwell College, 7. Niall Barry, Presentation Brothers College, 8. Kieran Essex, Christian Brothers College. CAPTAIN.

Replacements:

John Noonan, Christian Brothers College for Duffy, Stephen O Dwyer, Rockwell College for Barry, Chris Nolan, Christian Brothers College for Upton, Matthew Kearney, Presentation Brothers College for Kilcoyne, Michael Kenefick, Presentation Brothers College for Hanley

Ulster Schools U18 Team

15. Peter Glass (CCB), 14. Andy Moore (BA), 13. Chris Cochrane (CAI), 12. Jamie Smith (CCB), 11. Adam Craig (RBAI), 10. Patrick Harper (BA), 9. Michael Wilson (RES), 1. Paul Karyannis (RBAI), 2. Stephen Douglas (RBAI), 3. Gareth Megaw (RSA), 4. Paul Sandford (RSA), 5. Adam Glass (RBAI) 6. Paul Smith (BA), 7. Johnny Clarke (RSA), 8. Gary Crowe

Replacements:

Jack Caithness (F&LC) for Megan, 17. William Martin (BRA), 18. David Funston (F&LC), 19. Matthew Nelson (WHS), 20. Robert Logan (Ballyclare HS), 21. Adam Abokhae (PC), 22. Michael Entwhistle (Carrick)

SCHOOLS U19 INTERPROVINCIAL

MUNSTER 54 ULSTER 13

Munster Schools completed a double victory at Musgrave Park on Friday with the Munster Schools U19 team following on from the U18 victory with a comprehensive 54-13 win over their Ulster counterparts. It was a fantastic start to their Interprovincial campaign, with star centre Keith Earls notching up three tries and showing what a tremendous prospect he is in a dazzling display.

Despite playing against the wind Munster controlled from the outset but didn t claim the first score until fifteen minutes into the match when full back Peter O Sullivan converted a penalty. Earls picked up his first try of the day after 11 minutes after a chip ahead from Marcus O Driscoll at halfway saw Earls beat off the competition to kick ahead once more. A favourable bounce allowed Earls to gather and score, which O Sullivan converted, stretching the lead to 10-0. On the 14 minute mark Ulster put their first points on the board with a penalty converted by out half Niall O Connor. He followed up two minutes later with another successful penalty attempt. Munster however stretched their lead at the half hour mark with a try from centre Tim Kenneally after a well timed pass from Earls, which O Sullivan converted leaving the score 17-6 at half time.

Earl s second try came just after the restart after a break by Ronan O Sullivan set up the speedy centre who scored under the posts. O Sullivan converted once more to put Munster 24-6 in front, and then added another three points at the 7 minute mark. Immediately following this score captain Shane O Sullivan made a 30 yard break, with Ronan O Sullivan and Earls once more involved before Tim Kenneally got the touch down, which O Sullivan converted, putting Munster well ahead with a 34-6 margin. From here on the scores came thick and fast. A lightening fast break from the back of a scrum by scrum half Paul Rowley saw him score with 17 minutes gone in the second half which was followed by tries from replacement winger Edwin Torrie and flanker Robert Allen. Ulster rallied towards the end of the game and a chip from full back Owen McMurray set up Niall O Connor for a try, which McMurray converted. However, it was certainly Keith Earls day, who finished the scoring with his third try at 28 minutes, giving Munster a comprehensive 54-13 victory over Ulster. With Leinster lying in wait next Friday, Friday s win will certainly inspire plenty of confidence in this exciting side.

Munster Schools U.19 Team

15. Peter O Sullivan, Christian Brothers College, 14. Rory O Connor, Rockwell College, 13. Keith Earls, St. Munchin s College, 12. Tim Kenneally, Presentation Brothers College, 11. Marcus O Driscoll, Rockwell College, 10. Ronan O Sullivan, Crescent College Comprehensive, 9. Paul Rowley, St. Munchin s College, 1. Ronan O Neill, Christian Brothers College, 2. Gerard Slattery, St. Munchin s College, 3. Ben Rowley, Ard Scoil Ris, 4. Richard MacCarthy, Presentation Brothers College, 5. Peter Murphy, Christian Brothers College, 6. Robert Allen, Presentation Brothers College, 7. David Nathan, Christian Brothers College, 8. Shane O Sullivan Captain Christian Brothers College

Replacements:

Shane Hassett, St. Munchin s College for Nathan, Jeff Power, Presentation Brothers College for O Sullivan, Conor McNamara, St. Munchin s College for Murphy, Andrew O Driscoll, Presentation Brothers College for O Neill, Tom Foley, Castletroy College for Slattery, Barry McNamara, St. Munchin s College for Rowley, Edwin Torrie, Newtown School for O Connor

Ulster Schools U19 Team:

15. Owen McMurray (MCB), 14. Andrew McNeice (SUS), 13. Jamie Scott (RBAI), 12. Richard Brady (Foyle College), 11. Lee Smyth (Limavady GS), 10. Niall O’Connor (Limavady GS), 9. Simon Ross, 1. Daniel Lindsay (RSD), 2. Paddy McMahon (MCB), 3. William Goulden (Ballyclare HS), 4. Danny Annett (MCB), 5. Chris Warnock, 6. Ben Kennedy (Ballymena Academy), 7. Mark Robinson (MCB), 8. James McCullough (RBAI) Captain
Replacements:

Mark Riddell (RSD) for Lindsay, John Hunter (Limavady GS) for Goulden, Matthew McCarter (RSD) for Kennedy, Mark Sampson (Omagh Academy) for McNeice, Alan Hehir for McMahon, R. Robinson (LGS) for Mark Robinson.