Narrow Defeat For Munster U19s

The Munster U19s, sponsored by Bank of Ireland, lost on a 15-13 scoreline to Ulster in CIT this afternoon (Saturday).

Trailing 15-6 as the game entered the final stages, PBC no.8 Jack O'Sullivan did brilliantly to barge his way over in the left corner with Skibbereen's David McCarthy knocking over a superb conversion.

That narrowed the gap to just two points and despite Munster's valiant late efforts, Ulster hung on for a very hard fought victory.

Ulster started the game on the front foot with the speedy Mark Keane looking very dangerous on the right flank.

And it was no surprise when the visitors took an early lead through a Jonny Stewart try as the scrum-half sniped over from close range in the right corner with James Hume off target with the conversion.

Munster eventually gained a foothold in the game and CBC out-half James Taylor kicked the hosts' first three points on 15 minutes from just outside the 22.

Rockwell hooker Diarmuid Barron was sin-binned on 26 minutes for a high tackle on Keane after the winger raced away but Munster coped brilliantly with being down to 14 men and held Ulster scoreless for the 10-minute spell.

Taylor showed his accuracy with the boot again on 36 minutes with his second penalty after an Ulster offside as Munster led 6-5 at the interval.

It was nip and tuck at the start of the second half as a brilliant recovery tackle by PBC centre Peter Sylvester on Joe Dunleavy stopped a dangerous run from the no. 8 inside the Munster 22.

The hosts then threatened at the other end as Sylvester nearly found McCarthy with an offload but the Skibbereen man was just unable to gather the pass.

Munster replacement Alex Molloy, Waterpark, then saved a certain try with an outstanding tackle to prevent Keane from crossing after Ulster out-half Michael Lowry had gathered his own kick and looked to have sent the winger in under the posts.

Another period of Ulster pressure ensued, however, and they eventually re-took the lead as Stewart's penalty made it 8-6 after 63 minutes.

Lowry missed an attempted drop-goal four minutes later as Ulster looked to extend their lead but the out-half then showed superb speed to race away from the Munster defence and score a superb solo effort.

Stewart's conversion made it 15-6 and although Munster showed real quality to get back in contention, Ulster hung on for the victory.

Munster U19s
15. Jordan Higgins (Shannon)
14. Paul Buckley (PBC)
13. David McCarthy (Skibbereen)
12. Peter Sylvester (PBC)
11. Liam Barrett (Bruff)
10. James Taylor (CBC)
9. Aaron Rice (St. Munchin's College)
1. James French (Bandon Grammar)
2. Diarmuid Barron (Rockwell College)
3. Bryan O'Connor (PBC)
4. Conor O'Flynn (PBC) (C)
5. Sean English (Castletroy College)
6. Sean Duffy (CBC)
7. Jack Daly (Castleisland)
8. Jack O'Sullivan (PBC)

Replacements:
16. Tadgh McCarthy (Bantry Bay)
17. Darragh O'Shea (Newcastle West)
18. Jack Mullany (Dungarvan)
19. Colm Heffernan (Tullamore)
20. Odhran Ring (Ardscoil Rís)
21. Joe Murphy (Clongowes Wood)
22. Alex Molloy (Waterpark)
23. Sean Hudson (Bandon Grammar)

This weekend's underage Interprovincial fixtures and results:
Friday: Munster Combined U20 & Development Squad 21-18 Ulster, Thomond Park
Today: Munster U18 Schools 19-13 Ulster, CIT; Munster U19s 13-15 Ulster, CIT
Tomorrow: Munster U18 Clubs v Leinster, Thomond Park, 2.30pm