Report | Munster U18 Schools Lose To Leinster

It was a disappointing day for the Munster U18 Schools as they fell to a 15-55 defeat at home to Leinster at Virgin Media Park on Wednesday.

Early pressure from Munster led to Leinster straying offside which allowed Munster’s Alan Cleary to open the scoring for the men in red with a penalty after five minutes.

Leinster hit back almost immediately when they kicked a penalty to the corner and their maul saw Lee Fitzpatrick crash over for a try. Scrum-half Luke Coffey notched the conversion to give Leinster a 3-7 lead with almost 10 minutes of the game gone.

Munster got back in the game with 15 minutes on the clock when Alex Lautsou blocked down a Leinster clearing kick. The back-row from Castletroy College managed to collect the ball and dive over for Munster’s first try. Cleary’s conversion was wide as Munster took an 8-7 lead.

A few minutes later, Leinster retook the lead with a well struck penalty from Coffey to make it 8-10.

A 50:22 from Leinster gave the visitors a good attacking opportunity and Ben O’Toole took the ball at pace from a maul to power over for his side’s second try. Coffey’s conversion was on target to make it 8-17.

Leinster stretched their lead further when Ethan Balamash broke downfield before passing to Ronan Kelly who got over for Leinster’s third try. Coffey’s touchline conversion was on target as Leinster took 8-24 lead with 10 minutes remaining in the first half.

With half-time approaching Leinster notched another try as a result of a strong maul effort. Coffey’s conversion struck the upright as Leinster’s lead stretched out to 8-29.

Munster started the second half positively but Leinster captain Lee Fitzpatrick spotted a gap next to the ruck and powered through the last ditch challenge of the Munster full-back to score under the posts. Coffey landed the conversion.

With 15 minutes remaining, Leinster got another try, this time it was Geoff Wall who crossed from close range. Andrew Stronge converted to give Leinster a 8-43 lead.

Leinster were in ruthless form, and their maul proved too difficult to handle once again as Ben O’Toole crossed for a try to give Leinster a 8-48 lead.

A wonderful solo try from Munster’s Daniel O’Connell and conversion from Andrew Cleary got Munster into the double-digits with score now reading 15-48.

As they did so much throughout the game, Leinster responded with a try under the posts from Ronan Kelly which was converted by Stronge to leave the score 15-55 at the full-time whistle.

Munster U18 Schools

15. Fionn Rowsome (Crescent College Comprehensive)

14. Daniel O’Connell (Ard Scoil Ris)

13. Robbie O’Donnell (Castletroy College)

12. Joel Rowntree (Castletroy College)

11. Bobby O’Callaghan (PBC)

10. Alan Cleary (Crescent College Comprehensive)

9. Aaron Moloney (Roscrea Cistercian College)

1. Fionn O’Sullivan (PBC)

2. Zach Piper (Bandon Grammar School)

3. Kalum Kirwan (St Munchins College)

4. Cathal Bruhn (PBC)

5. Rob O’Sullivan (CBC)

6. Alex Lautsou (Castletroy College)

7. Llyod Costelloe (Ard Scoil Ris)

8. Xabi Scanlan (Castletroy College)

Replacements

16. Michael O’Sullivan (Clongowes Wood College)

17. Diarmuid Sheehy (PBC)

18. Darragh Leyden (Ard Scoil Ris)

19. Danny O’Flaherty (Ard Scoil Ris)

20. Tom Murray (PBC)

21. Cillian McNamara (Castletroy College)

22. Andrew Cleary (Crescent College Comprehensive)

23. Michael Kennedy (Bandon Grammar School)

Leinster U18 Schools

15. Billy Cross (Newbridge College)

14. Geoff O’Sullivan (Terenure College)

13. Ronan Kelly (St Gerard’s School)

12. Bernard White (Blackrock College)

11. Ethan Balamash (Terenure College)

10. Paul Neary (St Mary’s College)

9. Luke Coffey (Blackrock College)

1. Harry Goslin (Belvedere College)

2. Lee Fitzpatrick (Newbridge College)

3. Henry Maher (Cistercian College, Roscrea)

4. Jonathon Ginnety (Castleknock College)

5. Isaac Reid (Wesley College)

6. Myles Berman (St Michael’s College)

7. Ben O’Toole (Castleknock College)

8. Geoff Wall (Blackrock College)

Replacements: 

16. Marcus McCarthy (Belvedere College)

17. Ben Guerin (Blackrock College)

18. Jamie Bohan (Newbridge College)

19. Luke McNiff (Terenure College)

20. Owen Twomey (St Michael’s College)

21. Josh Mulligan (Gonzaga College)

22. Andrew Stronge (St Mary’s College)

23. Cory O’Connor (Castleknock College)