Disappointing Start For Munster In Junior Inter Pro’

Defending champions Leinster made a great start to this year’s Junior Inter Provincial championship with a maximum point victory over Munster at Charleville.

Munster 24, Leinster 30.
Leinster laid the foundation for this victory in the opening half when they led 25-16 at half time.

Dave Murphy, Gavin Kennedy and Bevan Duffy scored tries for the visitors in the opening forty minutes. Brian Croke converted two of the tries and also added two penalties.

Skipper Ger Luby replied with a try for Munster and Dara Meade converted and kicked three penalties.

Bevan Duffy secured the bonus point with a fourth Leinster try early in the second half. Munster responded with a try from substitute Brian O’Sullivan and Meade added a penalty but despite a late rally Munster were unable to add to their total.

Scorers Munster: Ger Luby, Brian O’Sullivan tries, Dara Meade con, 4 pens.
Leinster: Brian Croke try, 2 cons, 2 pens, Dave Murphy, Gavin Kennedy and Bevan Duffy tries.

Munster: Pat O’Connor (Cashel); Mike Deane (Tralee), Dermot O’Sullivan (Tralee), Kieran Merrigan (Clanwilliam), Darragh O’Brien (Cashel); Dara Meade (Kanturk), Ollie McGlinchey (Cashel); Trevor Downes (Kilrush), Darragh Fitzgerald (St. Mary’s), Tom Keveney (Cobh Pirates); J.J. Frahill (Cobh Pirates), Eoin O’Connor (Cashel); Ger Luby (Kilfeacle) capt, David McCormack (Clanwilliam), Tadgh Wright (Kinsale).
Replacements: Alan O’Donnell (Galbally), Edward Horgan (Cashel), Brian Lyons (Thurles), Brian O’Sullivan (Tralee), Barry O’Dwyer (Thurles), Kevin Quinlan (Cashel), Ciaran Ó Coileain (Corca Dhuibhne).

Leinster: Richie Duane (Enniscorthy); Brian Howell (Boyne), Bevan Duffy (Boyne), Barry Lynn (Wicklow), Dave Murphy (Portarlington); Brian Croke (Boyne), Gavin Kennedy (Monkstown); Richie Band (Portlaoise), James Clifford (Monkstown), Rob Dempsey (Roscrea); John Southern (Newbridge), Frank Murphy (Tullow); Darrell O’Hora (Newbridge), Carl Roche (Skerries), Barry Hurley (Wicklow).
Replacements: Ger Moore (Cill Dara), Shane Reilly (Portlaoise), Dave O’Connor (Kilkenny), Wayne Kerr (Cill Dara), Dearan McGrath (Kilkenny), Ivan Poole (Enniscorthy), Ross Barbour (Enniscorthy).

Referee: Dave O’Brien (IRFU).