Report | Munster Take The Spoils In Final Junior Interpro Game Against Connacht

Munster 34, Connacht 26.

Munster completed their Junior Interprovincial campaign with a hard earned victory over a Connacht side who battled to the finish at Rathcooney.

Munster made several changes to the side that lost to Ulster and always looked dangerous with ball in hand.

Munster who raced into a 17-0 lead early on, had to withstand a Connacht fightback that saw them come within a score of Munster on three occasions.

Jimmy Glynn opened the scoring in the 9th minute when the ball was spread out wide and the Mallow winger touched down in the corner. Shane Airey was unsuccessful with the difficult conversion.

Munster doubled their advantage in the 20^th minute when, from a maul close to the Connacht line, the ball was spread out to Ryan O’Connell and the Old Christians player touched down in the corner to the delight of the large home support. Airey again was off target with the difficult conversion to leave Munster 10-0 ahead.

Munster extended their advantage with a try from Sean Duggan on 32 minutes and Airy converted to make it 17-0.

Connacht finished the half  the stronger and Louis McVitty opened their account with a try but Shane Purcell was unsuccessful with the conversion to leave Munster 17-5 ahead at the interval.

Connacht were off target with a penalty attempt three minutes into the second half, but minutes later a powerful run up the wing by Barry Walsh, saw the Castlebar player touch down and Purcell converted, to make it a five point game.

Munster’s response was quick as they secured the bonus point when Kinsale’s Mark O’Connell touched down to make it 22-12.

Pressure by Connacht was rewarded with a try under the posts by Ian Murphy and Purcell converted to leave Munster leading 22-19.

Again Munster hit back with their fifth try  from Kevin Kinnane after Rob Guerin took  a quick tap penalty and off loaded to the Kilfeacle man to score. Rob Cahill converted.

Connacht secured the bonus point when Murphy touched down for their fourth try and Purcell converted to leave Munster 29-26 ahead entering the final minutes.

Deep in added time a brilliant run by Jamie McGarry sent Cahill in for the try and a deserved win for the Munster men.

Scorers Munster: Rob Cahill try, con, Jimmy Glynn, Ryan O’Connell, Sean Duggan, Mark O’Connell, Kevin Kinnane tries, Shane Airey con.

Connacht: Ian Murphy 2 tries, Louis McVitty, Barry Walsh tries, Shane Purcell 3 cons.

Munster: Jamie McGarry (Thomond); Ryan O’Connell (Old Christians), Sean Murphy (Newcastle West), Brian Mullins (Richmond) capt, Jimmy Glynn (Mallow); Shane Airey (Newcastle West), Oisin Mangan (Ennis); Nigel Clancy (Richmond), Tadgh McCarthy (Sunday’s Well), Davd Jennings (Clonakilty); Peter Kinane (Thurles ), Sean Duggan (St, Mary’s); Mark O’Connell (Kinsale), Sonny Dwyer (Thurles), Kevin Kinane (Kilfeacle).

Replacements from: Scott Kingston (Bandon), TJ Relihan (Newcastle West), John Walsh (Newcastle West), Jason Woulfe (Newcastle West), Sean Glynn (Mallow), Rob Guerin (St. Mary’s); Rob Cahill (Muskerry), Ben Kennedy (Cobh Pirates).

Connacht: Barry Walsh (Castlebar); Ethan Griffiths Connemara), Ross Murphy Sweeney (Buccaneers),Eoghan Coyle (Creggs),Louis McVitty (Sligo);Shane Purcell (Creggs),Zach Wright (Castlebar); Ronan Ipek (Castlebar), Benjamin Hynes (Sligo), Martin Staunton (Buccaneers) (Captain);Ciaran Purcell (Creggs),Sean Connolly (Castlebar);Brian Diffley (Creggs),Tommy Mullen Connemara),Fintan Crawley (Ballyhaunis).

Replacements: Luke Balsiger (Buccaneers), Eoghan Cahill (Creggs), Aidan Healy (Ballyhaunis), Michael Jordan (Ballyhaunis),Ryan Cummins (Dunmore),Evan Flynn (Corrib),Ian Murphy (Tuam),Mark Purcell (Creggs).

Referee: Matthew Kilgore (IRFU).