Schools Sides Just Fall Short Against Leinster and Connacht.

A gallant performance by Munster in the 100th Schools Inter Provincial tie against Leinster at Musgrave Park saw the visitors win the title on a 20-10 scoreline.

Munster 10, Leinster 20.

Leinster’s powerful pack laid the ground work for this victory which saw them play the game in the Munster half for long periods.

Out half Steve Crosbie put Leinster ahead with a penalty after seven minutes and they had to wait until the 28^th minute to extend their advanatge when center Conor McEllin touched down and Crosbie converted.

This spurred Munster into action and Darragh McNamara opened the home side’s account with a penalty two minutes later.

Munster than produced the move of the match which ended in a try. McNamara began the move out side the Leinster Twenty Two and sent Seamus Glynn away, but the center was stopped short of the line and after a series of rucks, the ball came back to McNamara who scored and converted to leave the scores 10-10 at half time.

Munster improved in the second half despite playing into a strong wind.

Leinster regained the lead with a penalty on 55 minutes which Crosbie kicked. A try by substitute Jack O’Neill sealed victory for Leinster minutes from time and Crosbie converted.

Scorers: Munster: Darragh McNamara try, con, pen.

Leinster:C McEllin, J O’Neill tries, S Crosbie 2 cons, 2 pens.

Munster:S Dinan(PBC);P O’Sullivan(Crescent Comp),S Glynn(PBC),R Scannall(PBC),C Murphy(St. Munchins);D McNamara(CBC),C O’Regan(CBC);C O’Donnell(Rockwell),B Scott(PBC),N Horan(Crescent Comp);E Ryan(St. Munchins),S McCarthy(Rockwell);G Ryan(St. Munchin’s),D Ryan(St. Munchin’s),R Murphy capt(PBC).

Replacements:D Canny(Ard Scoil Ris) for N Horan 41, W Foley(PBC) for D Ryan 53, N Horan for D Canny 59,B Haugh(Rockwell) for G Ryan, C Kiely(Rockwell) for P O’Sullivan, D Canny for C O’Donnell all 69, D Montgomery(St. Munchin’s) for B Scott, R Foley(CBC) for C O’Regan, D Nolan(CBC) for C Murphy all 70.

Leinster:J Fitzpatrick(Gonzaga);M Mellett(Castleknock),C McEllin(Blackrock), R Kavanagh(St. Michael’s),M Roche(Blackrock);S Crosbie(St. Gerards),L McGrath capt(St.Michael’s);E Byrne(Clongowes),B Byrne(Clongowes),A Boland(Blackrock);J Sexton(St. Mary’s),G Thornbury(Blackrock);C Kilcoyne(Blackrock),D Leavy(St. Michaels), L Satchwell(Kings Hospital).

Replacements:J O’Neill(Castleknock) for C Kilcoyne 46.

Referee:S Douglas(IRFU).

Munster A Schools 19, Connacht Schools 23.

The Munster A Schools began their Interprovincial campaign against Connachtat St. Nessan’s College and went down to a 23-19 defeat.

Despite falling behind to an early Connacht penalty, a try from Conor Moloney which Ned Hodson converted put Munster into the lead.

Ten minutes before the half time a converted try put Connacht10-7 ahead.

Connacht extended their advantage with a penalty but a try by Dara Phillips left the score at 15-12.

The visitors raced into a 23-12 lead with a penalty and a try but a third Munster try by Andrew Walsh converted by Hodson was not enough to save the day for the home side.

MunsterScorers:C Moloney, D Phillips and A Walsh tries,N Hodson 2 cons.

Munster:R Hunt(Villiers); C Moloney(Bandon Grammar),C Haran(Waterpark),A Walsh(Newtown),S Scallan(Newtown);N Hodson(Midleton),A Atkinson(Villiers);N Willoughby(Bandon Grammar),B Cross(Newtown),P Marks(St. Clement’s);PJ Hegarty(Bandon Grammar),E Fitzgerald(St. Clement’s);W O’Morchoe capt(Newtown),S Hunter(Bandon Grammar),P Deane(Bandon Grammar).

Replacements:K Ryan(St. Nessan’s),D O’Donnell(Abbey),E Bedford(Salesians Pallaskenry),R Meaney(Gael Cholaiste Luimnigh),S O’Sullivan(Midleton),D Phillips(St. Clement’s),J Robinson(Bandon Grammar),D James(Midleton),N Fitzgerald(Villiers),S Galvin(St.Clement’s),J Sweetnam(Midleton),P Ryan(Abbey).

Connacht:E O’Reilly(Marist);C langan(Marist),M Mellote(Roscrea),R Browne(St. Joseph’s),C Seery(Marist);R Pepperhobbs(Wilson’s),C Blade(Athenry),S Nenuinga(Marist),A Loughrey(Garbally),J Smith(Sligo);E Morrissey(St. Raephel’s),n Quinn(Athenry);G Dolan(St. Raephel’s),J O’Hare(Summerhill),J Walshe(Garbally).

Replacements:S Flannagan(Marist),D McCardle(Oranmore),R O’Donnell(Clifton),S Ryan(St. Jarleth’s),B Carty(Marist),A McAleer(Rice College),E Roache(Summerhill).

Referee:F Butler(IRFU).