Munster A Beaten By Ulster In Banbridge

Munster A fell to a 24-19 defeat to Ulster A at Banbridge Academy in an Interprovincial friendly today as Peter Malone’s side continued to prepare for their British and Irish Cup quarter-final against Leinster in Donnybrook on Good Friday (3pm).

Munster hit the front early on through a Stephen Fitzgerald intercept try with captain Dave Johnston converting.

Ulster hit back with two tries to lead 14-7 at the interval as Jack Owens and Marcus Rea touched down with Peter Nelson converting both.

A Nelson penalty made it 17-7 early in the second half before a scrum penalty try just before the hour seemed to kill off any lingering hopes for Munster A.

Malone’s side fought back strongly however as replacement hooker Tadhg McCarthy touched down to narrow the gap to 12 points.

A second intercept try, scored by replacement Jack Power and converted by Johnston, gave Munster hope heading into the final 10 minutes but Ulster were able to see the game out for a deserved 24-19 victory.

Munster A: Stephen Fitzgerald; Calvin Nash, Dave Johnston (C), Alex McHenry, Ronan O’Mahony; Alan Tynan, John Poland; Jeremy Loughman, Rhys Marshall, Ciaran Parker; Sean Duffy, Sean O’Connor; Mikey Wilson, Jack Daly, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements (all used): Tadhg McCarthy, Joey Conway, Rob O’Donovan, Thomas Ahern, John Hodnett, Colin Sisk, Peter Sylvester, Jack Power, Liam Coombes.