Munster U18 Clubs Win Interpro Title

The Munster U18 Clubs side, sponsored by Bank of Ireland, beat Connacht 35-17 in the Interpro decider on Saturday afternoon to claim the title for the first time in 13 years at the Sportsground.

Brendan O'Connor's side ran in five tries in a thrilling game of rugby with both sides making a huge contribution to the competition's crucial encounter.

Munster opened the scoring through hooker Derry Gleeson and increased the lead with a second try from scrum-half Nick O'Donoghue as Garryowen out-half Harry Byrne converted.

The hosts finished the half very strongly however as Christian Nielson went over for a try to open the scoring for Connacht six minutes before the break. This was followed by another try from Danny Arnold which was converted by Dylan Prendergast to level the scores 12-all at half-time.

Munster captain Evan O'Gorman put Munster ahead after the break with a try, which was quickly followed by another five-pointer from winger Tom Hanley.

Connacht’s Liam Winnet replied with an unconverted try but it was Munster who controlled the remainder of the game as Hayes put over two penalties to stretch Munster’s lead to 28-17. Munster’s other winger Ikem Ugwuru finished the scoring with grubber kick behind the Connacht defence and touched down under the posts and Hayes converted to cap a superb Munster display.

Munster U18 Clubs: Conor Hayes (Young Munster RFC), Ikem Ugwuru (Ennis RFC), Joe O'Connor (Tralee RFC), Evan O'Gorman (Young Munster RFC) (C), Tom Hanley (Charleville RFC); Harry Byrne (Garryowen FC), Nick O'Donoghue (Waterpark RFC); Aaron Hennessy (Ennis RFC), Derry Gleeson (Garryowen FC), Fionn Flanagan (Bruff RFC); Charlie Murphy (Dungarvan RFC), Evan Murphy (Nenagh Ormond RFC); Ross McCormack (Fethard & District RFC), Shane Brosnahan (Young Munster RFC), John Hodnett (Clonakility RFC).

Replacements: Harry Donnelly (Waterpark RFC) for Hennessy 42 min), Paudie McCarthy (Bantry RFC) for Gleeson (45), Ryan Lenihan (Sundays’s Well RFC) for Flanagan (50), Sam Kroupa (Nenagh Ormond RFC) for Evan Murphy (52), Alan McInerney (Young Munster RFC) for Charlie Murphy (56), Aaron Hehir (Shannon RFC) for O'Donoghue (60), Ben Daly (Waterpark RFC) for Byrne (62), Joe Quilter (Tralee RFC) for Hanley (65).

Munster U18 Clubs Management Team
Brendan O Connor – Head Coach
Darragh Hurley – Scrum Coach
Andy Brace – Backs Coach
Gordon Crowley – Kit Manager
Ross O'Callaghan – S& C Coach
Ian Dowling – Physio
Fiona Quinn – Team Doctor
Lenny Browne – Video Analyst
Tom Nyhan – Team Manager

Interprovincial Fixtures and Results 2016
Munster Combined U20 & Development Squad
Friday, 9th September, Munster 21-18 Ulster, Thomond Park
Friday, 16th September, Leinster 39-16 Munster, Donnybrook, 7pm

Munster U19s
Saturday, 3rd September, Munster 35-0 Connacht, Thomond Park
Saturday, 10th September, Munster 13-15 Ulster, CIT
Saturday, 17th September, Leinster 20-9 Munster, Anglesea Road

Munster U18 Clubs – Interpro Champions
Saturday, 3rd September, Ulster 14-19 Munster, Rainey Old Boys RFC
Sunday, 11th September, Munster 15-3 Leinster, Thomond Park
Saturday, 17th September, Connacht 17-35 Munster, Sportsground

Munster U18 Schools
Friday, 26th August, Ulster 15-18 Munster, Pirrie Park
Tuesday, 30th August, Munster 8-3 Leinster, Thomond Park
Saturday, 10th September, Munster 19-13 Ulster, CIT
Saturday, 24th September, Leinster v Munster, Donnybrook, 3pm