Munster Juniors One Game Away From Title

The Munster Juniors claimed a 11-10 win over Ulster to set them up for an Interprovincial title next weekend against Connacht.

Like last week Munster had to come from behind to defeat Ulster, having trailed 10-0 at half time and fully avenged last year’s 35-0 defeat at Larne.

Munster found themselves 3-0 behind after four minutes when early pressure by the visitors yielded a penalty which Chris Cousens converted.

From the restart Munster were awarded a penalty but John Lillis was off target with the long range effort.

Winger Dan Horgan, center Shane Moloney and captain Courtney Canning all looked dangerous for the home side with ball in hand but Munster fell further behind after eleven minutes.

A Munster move broke down on the half way line and Ulster winger Andrew Pollock raced up the wing, chipped ahead and won the race to touch down in the corner. Cousens converted to make it 10-0.

Munster while holding their own in the possession stakes, but their decision making at times was poor and several times they failed to hold the slippery ball at vital stages.

With the elements at their back they took the game to Ulster and Lillis had them on the scoreboard with a penalty after five minutes of the second half.

Lillis missed two further penalty efforts before Munster closed the gap on sixty three minute.

Aidan Ware won a line out on the Ulster 22 and the pack mauled the ball over the Ulster line with Ian Fitzgerald being credited with the touchdown. Lillis conversion attempt came back of the upright.

Four minutes later Lillis put Munster ahead with a penalty on the 22.

Ulster threw everything at Munster in an effort to save the game but a gallant Munster defence held firm

It now turns to their final game against Connacht next week at Richmond Park where victory will see them crowned champions.

Munster: Dean O’Brien (Newcastle West); Dan Horgan (Muskerry), Shane Moloney (Thurles), Kieran Merrigan (Clanwilliam), Warren Kelly (St. Senan’s); John Lillis (Thurles), Nicky Irwin (Thurles); Pa Ryan (St. Senan’s), Mike Cronin (Castleisland), Colm Skehan (Thurles); Rory O’Donnell (St. Mary’s), Dave Foley (Newcastle West); Courtney Canning (Clonakilty capt, Aidan Ware (Old Christians), Kieran Downey (Castleisland).
Replacements: Darragh Fitzgerald (St. Mary’s), Darren Collins (Muskerry), Brendan Childs (Galbally), Ian Fitzgerald (St. Senan’s), Sean Herlihy (Newcastle West), Aidan Dwyer (Thurles), Brian Collins (St. Senan’s).
Ulster: Chris Cousens (Portadown); Ryan Purvis (Portadown), Scott Young (Ards), Mikey Poskett (Coleraine), Andrew Pollock (Cooke); Stewart Paul 9Ards), Stuart McKane (Omagh); Chris Nash (Academy), Kyle Cobane (Clogher Valley), Johnny McIllwaine (Carrickfergus); David Sharkey (Clogher Valley), David Buchanan (Enniskillen); Toby Mannus (Cooke) capt, David Bradford (Bangor), Brian Hughes (Coleraine).
Replacements: Stuart Smyth (Grosvenor), Adam Gibney (Carrickfergus), Mike Aspley (Bangor), Adam McGregor (Dromore), Ryan Garrett (Larne), Ryan Bailey (Carrickfergus), Paul Cartmill (Cooke).
Referee: G Sheridan (IRFU).