U20/Development Side Win Thriller In Thomond

Munster’s combined U20 and Development side overcame an 18-0 half-time deficit to beat Ulster 21-18 in Thomond Park on Friday night.

Colm McMahon's side showed incredible character after being held scoreless in the first half as Ulster built up a seemingly unassailable lead.

Captain Colm Hogan led from example as the full-back, formerly at Glenstal Abbey but now with Dublin University, touched down twice in the second half with flanker Gavin Coombes also crossing.

Out-half Conor Fitzgerald, who trained with Munster's senior squad during pre-season, kicked all three conversions to clinch an incredible victory.

As the half-time scoreline suggests, Ulster made the better start. An early Johnny McPhillips penalty was followed by an Aaron Cairns try before a second McPhilips three-pointer made it 11-0.

A second try from powerful prop Adam McBurney, following a rolling maul, was converted by McPhillips as Ulster led 18-0 at the interval.

Then came the super second-half comeback as three converted tries secured victory for Munster as the visitors were unable to register another score.

Munster U20/Development Line-up
15. Colm Hogan (Dublin University) (C)
14. Lee Molloy (Lansdowne)
13. Calvin Nash (Young Munster)
12. Peadar Collins (Garryowen)
11. Liam Coombes (Skibbereen)
10. Conor Fitzgerald (Shannon)
9. Jack Stafford (Shannon)
1. Joey Conway (Castletroy College)
2. Adam Moloney (Shannon)
3. Rob O'Donovan (UCC)
4. Fineen Wycherley (Young Munster)
5. Sean O'Connor (Garryowen)
6. Gavin Coombes (Young Munster)
7. Alan Fitzgerald (Shannon)
8. John Foley (Shannon)

Replacements:
16. Vincent O'Brien (Cork Constitution)
17. Liam O'Connor (Cork Constitution)
18. Peter Kelleher (Cork Constitution)
19. Barra O'Byrne (Garryowen)
20. Bailey Faloon (Garryowen)
21. James Lennon (Exiles)
22. Alan Tynan (Young Munster)
23. Alex McHenry (Cork Constitution)
24. Cameron Gray (Exiles)
25. Daire Feeney (UCC)
26. Daniel Hurley (Garryowen)

This weekend's underage Interprovincial fixtures and results:
Munster Combined U20 & Development Squad 21-18 Ulster, Thomond Park
Today: Munster U18 Schools v Ulster, CIT, 1pm; Munster U19s v Ulster, CIT, 3pm
Tomorrow: Munster U18 Clubs v Leinster, Thomond Park, 2.30pm