McCarthy Duo Give Munster Schools the Edge

The Munster Schools U18 team secured their first win of the Interprovincial Series with a hard earned victory over their Ulster counterparts in front of an enthusiastic crowd in Dooradoyle on Saturday last.

Munster Schools U18 15-10 Ulster Schools U18

Munster started the game at a frantic pace, in what would appear to be an effort to make amends for their previous loss to Leinster. They put Ulster under severe pressure and following a series on onslaughts at the Ulster line, Johnny McCarthy the Munster blindside crashed over for the opening try after just 4 mins. The extra 2 points were added by 1st centre Mike Kelleher. On 18 mins following another series of Munster pressure Ulster were penalized at the break down and once again Mike Kelleher slotted over the 3 points to give Munster a 10 point advantage.

Munster should have added to their tally before the break but they went through a phase of kicking away good possession and started to let Ulster back into the game. On the stroke of half time, Munster conceded a penalty and Ulster?s exciting outhalf, Luke Marshall, converted the penalty to make it 10-3 to Munster at the break. That score seems to have sparked a comeback for the Ulster boys when 5 mins after the break, young Marshall crossed the line with an excellent score and then converted his own try, bringing the game level. One would have thought that the Munster boys would have capitulated at this stage but they showed remarkable courage and resolve and started to regain possession and control over the game. On 65mins after a period of sustained Munster pressure, Munster?s wing, Diarmuid McCarthy, received the ball in a stationary position on the Ulster 10 meter line and in the move of the game, he evaded 3 opponents along the touch line and show lightning speed and agility to dive over at the corner flag. The scored remained at 15-10 with Munster finishing the stronger.

Munster now face there final game of the campaign with an away match to Connacht on Tuesday 23rd October.

Munster Team
Brian Cagney, Gerard Horan (Jack Flannery 45), Brendan Cullinan (Duncan Casey 45) ,Brian Hayes ,David O Callaghan(Capt), John McCarthy, Ger Burke (Patrick Butler 45), David O Driscoll , Robert Guerin, Michael Kelleher, Finbarr Kearney, Diarmuid McCarthy, Simon Zebo (Craig O Hanlon 35), Gavin Nugent.
Subs. , Duncan Casey, Jack Flannery, Brian Downey, Patrick Butler , Craig O Hanlon ,Brian Smith, Darren Loftus.

Head Coach, Dudley Herbert, Assistant Coach, Peter Scott, Assisting Coach, Tony Trehy
Doctor, Larry Martin
Physio, Paula Kearns
Kit Man, Joe Sheehan
Manager, Declan English