It has been a historic season for East Munster U17 team, who recorded victories over their South, West and North counterparts to win the Inter-Regional Cup competition earlier this month. Having not won the competition in fourteen years, the success has greatly boosted Youths rugby in the region and bodes well for the development of the sport in the region.

In their first game of the series, South Munster were the opponents, with East Munster winning 24-5 in a great display of open rugby under lights at Kilfeacle. Shane Luby, with two tries and two conversions was a deserved Man of the Match with Anthony Guinan and Paul Denn scoring one try each. Next up was an away game to West Munster in Tralee, which proved a very close affair. First half tries from Shane Luby and Anthony Guinan gave East Munster a 10-0 lead at half time. The East forwards defended for most of the second half, and despite a late try from the West, the final score was 10-5 to East Munster. North Munster were the final opponents in a game played in Limerick on January 7^th, with a large following from both sides supporting their teams. East Munster got the perfect start, with a great try in the corner from Fergal McNamara after just two minutes. The North responded quickly however, and replied with a try to leave the score line 5-5 at half time. The East lifted the pace for the game in the second half, and with ten minutes to go Sean Moloney barged over for the winning try. There were great scenes of jubilation after the final whistle, from players and supporters alike. Munster Youths Secretary Christy Ryan presented the Cup to captain David McCormack, and thanked all four regional teams, their coaches and mentors, parents and supporters for helping to make this competition a success.

This competition has become an integral part of the Youths calendar, and is now a much sought title amongst the regions. An added incentive for those involved in this competition is that next year s Munster U18 Youth team will be chosen from the players that have competed in this competition. Last season, West Munster won the competition for the first time, and a number of those players are now on this Munster Youth team.

East Munster U17 Panel:

Back Row (L-R): Chris Power (Waterpark), David McCormack (Clanwilliam) Captain, Jerry Harney (Waterpark), Sean Moloney (Thurles), Colm Walsh (Waterpark), Paul Molloy (Waterpark), Darragh Joyce (Waterpark), Greg Carroll (Clonmel), Paul Denn (Clonmel), Leon Tolan (Kilfeacle), Shane Casey (Kilfeacle), Cian Ryan (Clanwilliam), David Harrisson (Carrick on Suir), Brian Walsh (Waterpark), Peter O Connor (Nenagh Ormond)

Front Row (L-R): Dale Harris (Waterpark), Adrian English (Clanwilliam), Michael McGrath (Thurles), Anthony Guinan (Thurles), Darragh O Brien (Cashel), Adrian Karr (Clonmel), Fergal McNamara (Clanwilliam), Sean Coleman (Clonmel), Donal Fogarty (Nenagh Ormond), Shane Luby (Kildeacle), Ian Mullins (Carrick on Suir)

Coaches: Niall Kenneally (Waterpark), Pat Fitzpatrick (Nenagh Ormond), Pat Coman (Thurles)

Selectors: Donal Footle (Clonmel), Pius O Grady (Kilfeacle), Bobby Lonergan (Carrick on Suir)

Team Manager: Michael Guinan (Thurles)

Medic: Michael McGrath