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

18th August 2018 By The Editor

Munster's Conor McMahon on the attack INPHO/Tommy Grealy

Munster U18 Clubs opened their U18 Interprovincial Series campaign with a comprehensive victory over Ulster, while Munster U18 Schools were edged out by the same opposition at the IRFU U18 Interprovincial Festival in UL on Saturday afternoon.

Munster U18 Clubs 32-10 Ulster U18 Clubs

Munster U18 Clubs recorded an impressive win over their Ulster counterparts, scoring five tries in total to begin their Interprovincial campaign in style.

The home side made a confident start with scrum-half Ethan Coughlan making a great break through the defence to put Ulster under pressure in the opening minutes, before Munster were awarded a penalty left of the posts.

Captain Jamie Shanahan stepped up and secured the three points around the 10-minute mark.

A ranging pass from the Ulster full-back resulted in out-half Tony Butler claiming an intercept from the half-way line to race away for Munster’s first try of the match after 19 minutes. Shanahan claimed the conversion.

Minutes later, Coughlan threatened metres from the line before Jack O’Keeffe came close to a score and flanker Richard Wallace picked-up to crash over for another try.

Impressive interplay from the Munster back-line resulted in a second penalty opportunity for Butler, but the attempt was sent left of the sticks.

Jack Barrett was the next name on the scoreboard, after Tim Hegarty made yards in attack and offloaded to see the replacement centre in at the left corner.

Half-time: Munster U18 Clubs 20-5 Ulster U18 Clubs

After the interval, it was Ulster who took control of possession and found the line, following a well-worked move from their out-half.

Munster soon responded with a rolling maul in the right corner resulting in Craig Hannon barging over the line to increase his side’s lead in the 65th minute.

Barrett then made a terrific break from the centre, before Tony Butler and Hegarty linked to release Ihechi Oji for Munster’s fifth try. Butler secured the conversion.

Ulster were not giving up hope and with minutes to go on the clock, they went over from close range before sending the conversion wide.

Full-time: Munster U18 Clubs 32-10 Ulster U18 Clubs

Munster U18 Clubs v Ulster: 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), Jamie Shanahan Capt (Skibbereen RFC, Skibbereen Community School), Liam Murphy (Young Munster RFC, St Caimins Community School, Shannon); Tony Butler (Ennis RFC, St. Flannan’s College), Ethan Coughlan (Ennis RFC, Rice College); Eddie McIntosh(Clonmel RFC, Clonmel High School), 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 (Nenagh Ormond RFC, Nenagh CBS).

Replacements: Ciaran Bohane (Ballincollig RFC, Colaiste Choilm), Kian Regan (Tralee RFC, Gealcholaiste Chiarrai), Matt McCarthy (Clonakilty RFC, Clonakilty Community College), Tadhg Galvin (Bandon RFC, Hamilton High School), Jack Cosgrave (Young Munster RFC, Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh), Gavin Foley (Skibbereen RFC, Skibbereen Community School), Jack Barrett (Bruff RFC, Charleville CBS), Dylan Brosnan (Young Munster RFC, St Clement’s College).

Munster U18 Schools 6-12 Ulster U18 Clubs

Munster U18 Schools were edged out in a tale of two-halves against their Ulster opponents.

Centre Jack Delaney secured the first points for Munster with a well-taken penalty after 14 minutes, as the hosts enjoyed the majority of possession in the opening stages.

Flanker Jack Ward Murphy and Number 8, Daniel Okeke, impressed from the start and with Munster deep inside the Ulster 22, a penalty was awarded.

Delaney secured another three points for Munster and was involved in a move with Mark O’Connor minutes later which challenged the Ulster defence.

Half-time: Munster U18 Schools 6-0 Ulster U18 Schools

The Munster centres were combining well after the break as Delaney continued to threaten from out-half.

However, it was Ulster who claimed the first try of the second-half through a rolling maul before their scrum-half kicked what would prove to be the winning conversion after 55 minutes.

Ulster then scored their second of the match, their full-back racing down the left wing after the ball was spun out-wide.

Munster continued to fight for possession but it was Ulster who remained on top in the final quarter.

Full-time: Munster U18 Schools 6-12 Ulster U18 Schools

Munster U18 Schools v Ulster: Killian Dineen (Ardscoil Ris, Garryowen FC); Conor Sheahan (St Munchin’s College, Castleisland RFC), Harry O’Riordan (Christian Brothers College), Jack Delaney (Crescent College Comprehensive, Presentation RFC), Aaron Leahy (Christian Brothers College, Midleton RFC); Cian Whooley (Christian Brothers College, , Cork Constitution FC), Mark O’Connor (Christian Brothers College, Cork Constitution FC); Mark Donnelly Capt (Christian Brothers College), Billy Kingston (Presentation Brothers College, Dolphin RFC), Craig Finn (St Munchin’s College), Will O’Callaghan (Ardscoil Ris, Shannon RFC), John Forde (Presentation Brothers College, Midleton RFC), Jack Kelleher (Presentation Brothers College, Dolphin RFC), Jack Ward Murphy (Ardscoil Ris, Garryowen FC), Daniel Okeke (Ardscoil Ris, Thomond RFC).

Replacements: Ronan O’Sullivan (Christian Brothers College, Dolphin RFC), Donagh Hyland (Glenstal Abbey School, Portlaoise RFC), Corey Hanlon (Christian Brothers College, Cork Constitution FC), Luke Obersby (Midleton College, Midleton RFC), Niall Queally (Glenstal Abbey School, Ennis RFC), Jake Connolly (Crescent College Comprehensive), Will Twomey(Glenstal Abbey School), Daniel Hurley (Presentation Brothers College, Bandon RFC), Michael Hand (Presentation Brothers College).