IRFU U18 Festival Reports | Munster U18 Clubs & Munster U18 Schools

It was a testing day for the Munster U18 Clubs and Schools sides who completed their Interprovincial campaigns at UL on Sunday, falling short to Leinster and IQ Rugby respectively.

Munster U18 Clubs 7-29 Leinster U18 Clubs

Munster lost out to an impressive Leinster outfit in their final match of the U18 Festival, after the visiting side pulled away in the second-half.

It was Leinster who secured the first points on the board, full-back Jamie Osbourne crossing after the 10-minute mark.

Munster enjoyed spells of possession with the pack delivering in the contact areas but a penalty awarded to Leinster resulted in three points in the 33rd minute from Karl Martin.

Half-time: Munster U18 Clubs 0-8 Leinster U18 Clubs

Leinster capitalised shortly after the break when second-row Diarmuid Brannock barged his way over before Martin converted.

Munster soon responded with centre Conor McMahon bursting through a gap in the defence, and out-half Tony Butler adding the extras in the 58th minute.

However, further pressure from Leinster led to their third try courtesy of Mark Boyle, which Martin converted.

Full-time: Munster U18 Clubs 7-29 Leinster U18 Clubs

Munster U18 Clubs v Leinster: Tim Hegarty (Old Christian’s RFC, Colaiste An Chroi Naofa, Carrignavar); Ihechi Oji (Douglas RFC, Douglas Community School), Conor McMahon (Nenagh Ormond RFC, Nenagh CBS), Jack Barrett (Bruff RFC, Charleville CBS), Chimdi Oji (Douglas RFC, Douglas Community School); Tony Butler VC (Ennis RFC, St. Flannan’s College), Ethan Coughlan (Ennis RFC, Rice College); Kian Regan(Tralee RFC, Gealcholaiste Chiarrai), Dylan Murphy (Nenagh Ormond RFC, Nenagh CBS), Darragh McCarthy (Cobh Pirates RFC, Cobh Community College), Jay Traynor (Waterpark RFC, De la Salle College, Waterford), Craig Hannon (Galbally RFC, John The Baptist Community School), Fearghail O’ Donoghue (Cashel RFC, Cashel Community School), Richard Wallace (Killarney RFC, St. Brendan’s College, Killarney), Jack O’Keeffe C (Nenagh Ormond RFC, Nenagh CBS).

Replacements: Ciaran Bohane (Ballincollig RFC, Colaiste Choilm), Eddie McIntosh (Clonmel RFC, Clonmel High School), Matt McCarthy (Clonakilty RFC, Clonakilty Community College), Jack Cosgrave (Young Munster RFC, Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh), Tadhg Galvin (Bandon RFC, Hamilton High School), Gavin Foley (Skibbereen RFC, Skibbereen Community School), Anthony Castillo (Mallow RFC, Davis College), Dylan Brosnan (Young Munster RFC, St Clement’s College).

Munster U18 Schools 27-34 IQ U18 Rugby

Above: CCC’s Jack Delaney had an impressive day with the boot

Munster were over-turned by IQ Rugby in the second-half after taking a narrow lead before the break.

IQ Rugby struck a penalty in the fifth minute with Michael Cooke claiming three points.

The Exiles continued to pressurise and it wasn’t long before they got over the line, full-back Benedict Quinn scoring and Cooke adding the conversion after 20 minutes.

Munster’s Jack Delaney then added a penalty before centre Will Twomey’s bagged the home side’s first try, which Delaney converted.

Hooker Ronan O’Sullivan secured Munster’s second score, crashing over to take the lead as half-time approached and Delaney contributing the extras.

Half-time: Munster U18 Schools 17-10 IQ U18 Rugby

IQ’s Hayden Hyde made a break from half-way to go over and the Exiles reclaimed the lead after flanker Tomas Donnellan scored a try.

Cooke added the extras in the 42nd minute to complete a strong start to the second-half.

Munster’s Daniel Hurley then responded with a score in the left corner to go level minutes later.

However, the Exiles made another impression through Quinn’s second try and Cooke’s conversion in the 58th minute.

Quinn then secured his hat-trick to extend IQ Rugby’s lead before Hurley’s second in the 66th minute remained a consolation try for Munster, despite the home province’s best efforts in the closing stages.

Full-time: Munster U18 Schools 27-34 IQ U18 Rugby

Munster U18 Schools v IQ Rugby: Aaron Leahy (Christian Brothers College, Midleton RFC); Michael Hand(Presentation Brothers College), Killian Dineen (Ardscoil Ris), Will Twomey (Glenstal Abbey School),Daniel Hurley (Presentation Brothers College, Bandon RFC); Mark O’Connor (Christian Brothers College, Cork Constitution FC), Jack Delaney (Crescent College Comprehensive); Donagh Hyland (Glenstal Abbey School, Portlaoise RFC), Ronan O’Sullivan (Christian Brothers College, Dolphin RFC), Mark Donnelly(Christian Brothers College), Will O’Callaghan (Ardscoil Ris, Shannon RFC), Luke Obersby (Midleton College, Midleton RFC), Jack Kelleher (Presentation Brothers College, Dolphin RFC), Niall Queally (Glenstal Abbey School, Ennis RFC), Daniel Okeke (Ardscoil Ris, Thomond RFC).

Replacements: Joachim Clohessy (St Munchin’s College), Darragh MacSweeney (Presentation Brothers College), Corey Hanlon (Christian Brothers College, Cork Constitution FC), John Forde (Presentation Brothers College), Jack Ward Murphy(Ardscoil Ris), Jake Connolly (Crescent College Comprehensive), Cian Whooley (Christian Brothers College), Conor Sheahan (St Munchin’s College).

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