Muster Start Junior Interpro Series With Win

Munster staged a magnificent second half come back to beat reigning champions Leinster in their opening Junior Inter Provincial game at Cobh.

Munster 22, Leinster 17.
Having trailed 17-3 at half time and completely out of sorts Munster staged a dramatic come back to earn a deserved win at Cobh.

In an absorbing opening half with Leinster dominating territorially it was Munster who took the lead with a penalty from Sean Herlihy mid way through the half.

Leinster then hit a purple patch in the last eight minutes of the half. Winger Johnny Butterworth gave the visitors the lead with a try. Further Leinster pressure was rewarded when second row Paul Nolan scored his side’s second try.

The Munster prop Danny Lambe got yellow carded and Leinster took full advantage when Mick Nevin scored his side’s third try and Donal Crotty converted.

Whatever was said to the Munster side at half time worked, as four minutes into the second half a great break by out half Eoin Geary sent Alan McMahon in for a try and Herlihy converted to leave the score 17-10.

Once Munster were back to the full complement, their pack took over.

On fifty five minutes a drive by the pack saw Kieran Downey touch down and Geary’s conversion tied the scores.

Munster were ahead by the 63^rd minute when two Cobh boys Greg Higgins who made the initial break linked up with Mark Chandler who touched down.

Leinster did rally in the final minutes but a determined Munster side held out for a deserved victory.

Next up for Munster is a trip to Carrick Fergus next Saturday where they will face Ulster.

Munster: Mike Mullaly (Tralee); Eoghan O’Dwyer (Thurles), Alan McMahon (Dungarvan), Greg Higgins (Cobh Pirates), Warren Kelly (St Senan’s); Eoin Geary (Cobh Pirates), Sean Herlihy (Newcastle West); Robbie Colclough (Waterpark), Mike Cronin (Castleisland), Danny Lambe (Kilfeacle); Ruairi O'Donnell (St Mary’s) capt, Dave Foley (Newcastle West); Dave Kiersey (Kilfeacle), Mike Culhane (Newcastle West), Ian Fitzgerald (St Senan’s).
Replacements: Tommy Doyle (Kilfeacle), Pa Ryan (St Senan’s), Rory Hannon (Waterpark), Courtney Canning (Clonakilty), Kieran Downey (Castleisland), Mark Chandler (Cobh Pirates), Nicky Irwin (Thurles), Vivion Grisewood ( Clanwilliam).
Leinster: Mick Nevin (Monkstown); Ross Doyle (Portarlington), Mick South (Railway Union), Bill Duggan (Monkstown), Johnny Butterworth (Monkstown); Donal Crotty (Ashbourne), Mick Russell (Clondalkin);
James Clifford (Monkstown), James McCaughy (Ashbourne), Dylan Quinn (Longford); Geoff Mullan (Coolmine), Paul Nolan (Clondalkin); Cormac Dunne (Mullingar), Brian Flaherty (Monkstown), Damien Broughall (Cill Dara).
Replacements: John Lee (Coolmine), Mick Ward (Coolmine), Rory Gleeson (Ashbourne), Callum Peate (Suttonions), Aidrian Hanley (Monkstown), Garth Bater (Gorey), Conor Hayes (Coolmine), Andrew Coade (Mullingar).
Referee: Peter Martin (IRFU).