Report | Munster Development XV Edge Past Ulster

Munster Rugby Development XV edged a gripping contest with Ulster Rugby to clinch a 25-24 victory at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Abbotstown on Saturday afternoon.

See full details of the Munster team here.

Match report by Aron Hegarty

Nine tries were tallied in an end-to-end match that saw Munster race into a 15-0 lead inside the opening 20 minutes with a double from PBC full-back Patrick Campbell and one by UCC hooker Scott Buckley.

Ulster responded with two scores in five minutes before the break through prop Callum Reid and flanker Reuben Crothers, whose effort was converted by James Humphreys for 12-15.

The excellent Campbell got his third shortly after the restart, Ulster’s Ben Carson replied then wing Jamie Shanahan of Garryowen FC crossed before replacement Scott Wilson set up a tense finish.

Ultimately the difference between the two sides was Munster’s fast start and Campbell, whose three tries and assist for the fifth kept them at arms-length on the scoring as Ulster fought hard to snatch the match right until the end.

Munster made a flying start with Campbell crossing from a sweeping backline move after six minutes, and was quickly followed by Buckley breaking away unopposed from a rolling maul to dot down in the 10th minute.

Ulster were twice held up over Munster’s line in a matter of minutes after Mark Donnelly of Garryowen FC was yellow-carded. However, Munster kept them scoreless and clinical Campbell raced away at the other end for his team’s third try midway through the half.

The Ulstermen passed up several more chances from penalties, including over-throwing an attacking five-metre lineout as they looked to break their duck, which they did once Fearghail O’Donoghue of Cashel RFC received a yellow card.

Prop Reid went over from close range in the 35th minute and right on half-time flanker Crothers powered through, with Humphreys’ extras making it a one-score game.

Soon after the restart, Campbell bagged his hat-trick when he broke through a challenge in midfield to dive over and extend Munster’s advantage to eight points.

Zac Ward, a half-time replacement for Ulster, broke through in attack on 63 minutes and fed the ball out for teammate Carson to cross for 17-20.

But on 70 minutes, three-try Campbell turned provider when he claimed an ‘up and under’ then broke through midfield and passed the ball wide for winger Shanahan to dive over.

Ulster set up a grandstand finish when substitute Scott Wilson went over with two minutes to go and replacement out-half Ross McKay landed the conversion to make it 24-25.

They got the final play up to the Munster five-metre line as they rallied in a bid to steal victory from under their noses, but knocked forward in the last act of an enthralling contest.

Scorers – Ulster Rugby Development XV: Tries: Callum Reid, Reuben Crothers, Ben Carson, Scott Wilson. Cons: James Humphreys, Ross McKay. Munster Rugby Development XV: Tries: Patrick Campbell (3), Scott Buckley, Jamie Shanahan.

ULSTER RUGBY DEVELOPMENT XV: Shea O’Brien; Conor Rankin, Ross Taylor, Ben Carson, Conor McKee; James Humphreys, Lewis Finlay; Callum Reid, James McCormick, Joe Mawhinney; Harry Sheridan, Adam McNamee; Lorcan McLoughlin, Reuben Crothers, David McCann.

Replacements: Josh Hanlon, Scott Wilson, Ryan McMahon, Paddy Browne, Jack Milton, Ross McKay, James McNabney, Zac Ward, Lewis Finlay, Jude Postlethwaite.

MUNSTER RUGBY DEVELOPMENT XV: Patrick Campbell (PBC); George Coomber (CBC), Alan Flannery (Shannon RFC), Darragh French (UCC), Jamie Shanahan (Garryowen FC); Tony Butler (C) (Garryowen FC), Ethan Coughlan (Shannon RFC); Mark Donnelly (Garryowen FC), Scott Buckley (UCC), James French (UCC); Eoin O’Connor (Young Munster RFC), Paddy Kelly (Garryowen FC); John Forde (Cork Constitution FC), Fearghail O’Donoghue (Cashel RFC), Jack O’Sullivan (Cobh Pirates RFC).

Replacements (all used): Ronan Loughnane (UCD), Kieran Ryan (Shannon RFC), James Kendrick (Garryowen FC), Edwin Edogbo (UCC), Sam O’Sullivan (UCC), Aaron Hehir (Shannon RFC), Jack Delaney (Garryowen FC), Sam Tarleton (Rockwell College), Luke Doyle (Shannon RFC).