Munster Juniors Win Interprovincial Title

Munster regained the McGee Memorial Cup after a four year gap with a comprehensive victory over Connacht at Richmond Park to be crowned Junior Interprovincial champions for season 2015/16.

Munster 50, Connacht 7.
Connacht who several times in the recent past have denied Munster the title were totally outplayed from start to finish.

The Munster scrum was totally on top, that Connacht had to replace their props before half time.

The Munster pack were superb with Dave Foley and Kieran Downey always gained ground with ball in hand while Old Christians wing forward Aidan Ware put in an outstanding performance both at the lineout and in the loose.

Thurles prop Colm Skehan was nominated player of the tournament and he also rounded off the afternoon with two tries.

The half back pairing of Nicky Irwin and John Lillis controlled the game, while centers Shane Moloney and Kieran Merrigan were a perfect partnership.

Wingers Dan Horgan Muskerry and Warren Kelly were always poising problems while full back Dean O’Brien was always dangerous when challenging from deep.

Munster Coach John O’Neill was very proud of his side when he spoke after the final whistle.
“It was a fantastic performance from the Munster team. They played with ambition and enjoyed themselves.
The championship was won two weeks ago when we got them together and they just gelled as a group and understood what we were trying to do.
Today was the culmination of all what we put into it in the last four weeks and it just came right today as we were superior in all phases.”

The Munster pack were rampant throughout with prop Colm Skehan being nominated player of the tournament.

Munster opened the scoring on seven minutes when Aidan Ware won a line out ball on the 22 and the pack mauled the ball over the line and Kieran Downey touched down.

Another forward drive saw Colm Skehan score and John Lillis converted both for a fourteen point lead after thirteen minutes.

A third try by Nicky Irwin again converted by John Lillis made it 21-7 at half time.

A seven minute spell at the end of the third quarter that yielded tries by Dan Horgan and Colm Skeehan and a John Lillis penalty and conversion had Munster 36-7 ahead and that ended the game as a contest.

Munster emptied the bench and tries from Brian Collins and Warren Kelly with Sean Herlihy converting both completed the scoring.

Scorers Munster: Colm Skehan 2 tries, Kieran Downey, Nicky Irwin, Dan Horgan, Brian Collins, Warren Kelly tries, John Lillis 4 cons, pen, Sean Herlihy 2 cons.
Connacht: L Laheen try, R Keller con.
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 Skeehan (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).
Connemara: C O’Neill (Ballina); D Brunker (Ballina), M Mannion (Monivea), D McDonogh (Connemara), K Corcoran (Westport); R Keller (Ballinasloe), D Carpenter (Westport); C mason (Ballina), J Keaveney (Ballina), A Bourke (Westport); C Ryan (Westport), L Scahill (Westport) capt; R Stanley (NUIG), S Jones (Monivea), L Laheen (Monivea).
Replacements: J O’Connor (Westport), C Groden (Westport), E Conroy (Connemara), E Dunning (Westport), M Murphy (Ballina), I Heanue (Connemara), C Maher (Monivea).
Referee: B O’Keeffe (IRFU).