Victory For Munster ‘A’ Schools Over Leinster

The Munster "A" Schools returned to winning ways with a hard fought, but well deserved win over Leinster "A" Schools in Donnybrook, Dublin yesterday afternoon.

Courtesy of Eugene O'Brien, Team Manager.

Having lost the previous week, 22 – 13, Munster started the game as underdogs.

From the kick off Munster took the game to Leinster, who perhaps expected to have things all their own way following their victory the previous week.

Both teams had their chances to score tries in the first half only to be held out with some excellent defending. After 21 minutes the sides were level at 3 – 3, with Dylan Cadogan, the Munster outhalf and Cormac Hughes, the Leinster centre, exchanging penalties.

As the first half drew to a close, Jamie Boyd, the Leinster outhalf, dropped a goal, to leave Munster trailing, 6 – 3, at half-time.

Leinster started the second half very well and after some early pressure, Cormac Hughes, scored a well-deserved try in the corner, which he failed to convert. From the kick-off, Munster attacked the Leinster line, only to concede a penalty, which allowed Leinster to clear their lines. From the resulting line out, Leinster set up a maul and drove at the Munster line. The ball was released to the backs and Sam Gibney scored a try, which was converted by Jamie Boyd. 18 – 3 to Leinster.

Once again Munster attacked the Leinster line, were awarded a penalty, which they kicked to touch. From the result line out, Munster Mauled over the Leinster line, with James Reeves getting the try, which Dylan Cadogan failed to convert, 18 – 8 to Leinster.

Straight from the re-start, Munster gathered the kick-off and ran the ball. Following some excellent exchanges between the forwards and backs, Andrew Carey, scored a try in the corner, which was not converted. 18 – 13 to Leinster with 15 minutes left in the game.

Both sides attacked at every opportunity for the next 10 minutes and following yet another attack on the Leinster line, Dylan Cadogan neatly kicked ahead, to beat the on rushing Leinster defensive line, for Feargal O’Nuallain, to touch down in the corner. 18 – 18.

Dylan Cadogan converted from the side line, against a very stiff wind, to put Munster in the lead, with 5 minutes remaining, 18 – 20.

Leinster tried everything to regain the initiative, were awarded two penalties, which the failed to convert, leaving Munster worthy winner of a great game.

Munster ‘A’ XV: Dylan Cadogan (High School Clonmel); Andrew Carey (Dungarvan CBS), Jack O’Donnell (Dungarvan CBS), Kerry Desmond (Bandon Grammar), Jack Donovan (Nenagh CBS); David Kavanagh (De La Salle Waterford), Isaac Daly (CBS Tramore); Toby Adamakin (Villiers School), Padraig Keating (High School Clonmel), James Reeves (CBS Sexton Street), Joel O’Dwyer (High School Clonmel), Stephen Carey (High School Clonmel); Bryan Moore (Midleton College), Richard Kingston (Capt.) (Bandon Grammar), Peter Traynor (De La Salle Waterford). Replacements: Robbie Steele (Midleton College), Paddy Butler (Colaiste An Spioraid Naoimh), Sean Scully (Bandon Grammar), Mike Riordan (Hospital), Ross Coffey (Mounthawk Tralee), Joshua Barnes (Mounthawk Tralee), Ben Coady (Villiers School), Fergal O’Nuallabh (Mounthawk Tralee), Dan Finnerty (St. Anne’s Killaloe), John Murphy (Abbeyfeale).

Leinster ‘A’ XV: Andrew Coade (Wilson’s Hospital);14. Niall James (Newpark Comprehensive School), Cormac Hughes (Moyne CS), Aodhan King (Ardscoil na Trionoide, Athy) James Orr (Sandford Park); Jamie Boyd (St. Columba’s College), Arthur Brabazon (Wilson’s Hospital); Conor Dempsey Good Counsel College); Steve Reamsbottom (Capt.) (Mount Temple Comprehensive); Kevin Browne (Good Counsel College), Sam Gibney (Mount Temple Comprehensive); Dillon Doyle (Ratoath CS); Donnacha Carroll (Gorey CS), Daniel Buckley (Wilson’s Hospital), Adam Keating (St. Patrick’s Classical School). Replacements: Sam Bewley (St Columba’s), Thomas Fegan (Tullow CS), Jamie Salinger (Newpark Comprehensive School), Jake Wall (Ashbourne CS), Brian McDonnell (St. Paul’s College), Robert Harrington (Gorey CS), Mark Dolan (St. Colmcilles CS), Ricky Martinez (Wilson’s Hospital).