Munster beat Leinster in the opening round of the Interprovincial competition in November. Loosing by a score to both Ulster (away) and Connacht at home, John O'Sullivans coaching team will want to put the record straight this time round.

Weather Conditions havent exactly been ideal for preparation for the final round, but weve worked very hard with the assistance of Steve Forde, Ken OConnell, Kevin King and Ronan O'Donovan.

Munster Youths will want to be in the final mix the following weekend in Mullingar with Connacht the only side to have beaten all three provinces, and are favourites to beat a very different Leinster side.

John OSullivan brings a lot of experience to this side having coached the Irish ladies team for a number of seasons and knows what it takes to be at the top. Were not only preparing the Munster Youths to win out the championship but also giving all these players an opportunity to compete for places on the Irish Youth squad.  

The Irish Youths travel to Toulon, France to play in the European FIRA Championships in early April. A number of Munster players have already been on trials, Jake Considine, Lukas Kunhz, Stevie Collins, Kevin O'Byrne, Johnny Holland, John Clery and Gearoid Crowe.

Chairman of selectors Nick OKeeffe congratulated Ken OConnell (Academy Elite Development Officer) who joined the Irish Youths as forwards technical coach. Ken has a lot of experience having played at the highest level both at Irish level and as a club professional with Munster, Castres and London Irish. Ken will join two other Munster men who have been with the Irish squad the past few seasons, Lenny Browne, Video Analyst and Tom Nyhan, Logistics Manager.

Nick also praised Ultan O'Callaghan who has consistently supported the Youths programme and professional players like Paul Warick who gave up his time over Christmas to give out half Johnny Holland some kicking practice and also heaped praise on his selectors who work tirelessly throughout the year to bring players together.

OSullivan went on to say This competition is very important for these young lads and were all looking forward to the challenge of heading to Ravenhill.

Semi-Finals: 24th January
Ulster V Munster  Ravenhill 12.00
Connacht V Leinster Showgrounds 12.00     

Final: 31st January
Mullingar 12.00

Munster Youths Squad 2008/09

Mike Lynch	Bruff RFC
Mark Corby	Clonmel RFC
Cian McKeown	Ennis RFC
Gary Fitzgibbon	Crosshaven RFC
John Cleary	Bruff RFC
Graham Coughlan	Douglas RFC
Colm Considine	Ennis RFC
Scott Hornibrook	Waterpark RFC
Gearoid Crowe	Ennis RFC
Darragh Bonifil	Garryowen RFC
Kevin O Byrne	Highfield RFC
Dara Arthurs	Young Munster RFC
Jake Considine	Young Munster RFC
Mark Deegan	Waterpark RFC
Geoffrey Deegan	Waterpark RFC
Niall Enright	Newcastle West RFC
Andrew Kelleher	Cashel RFC
Jonathan Holland	Sundays Well RFC
Shane O Connor	Ennis RFC
Stephen Collins	Ennis RFC
Lukus Kunz	Ennis RFC
Robbie Finn	Bruff RFC
Jamie Byrne	Tralee RFC
Robin Healy	Garryowen RFC
Adrian Doyle	Newcastle West RFC
Daniel McSweeney	Ballincollig RFC
Derry O Connor	Abbeyfeale RFC

Munster Youths Coaching and Management

Nick O Keefe	Chairman of Selectors
John O Sullivan	Head Coach
Ronan O Donovan	Backs coach
Steve Forde	Forwards Coach
Ken O Connell	Technical advisor
Kevin King	Conditioning Coach
Claire Wills	Sports Therapist
Adam Clarke	Video Analyst
Dermot Kelly	Selector / North
Tom Nyhan	Selector / South
Pat Coman	Selector / East
Denis Griffin	Selector / West