MUNSTER U19 S DEFEATED AT RAVENHILL

ULSTER 20 MUNSTER 8

Munster U19 s suffered a 20-8 defeat at the hands of Ulster in Ravenhill on Saturday, in the first round of the inaugural IRFU U.19 Interprovincial Championship.

Despite Munster playing with the wind in the first half, it was Ulster who got the better start- opening the scoring with a Niall O Connor drop goal after ten minutes. This was followed five minutes later with a try from captain and No. 8 Jonathon Graham, which wasn t converted. Ten minutes later, Munster bounced back with a try from Munster Rugby Academy member and U.19 captain Tommy O Donnell, to leave the score 8-5 to the home side at half time. With the sides well matched upfront, the game remained close throughout. Munster levelled the score ten minutes into the second half with full back William Staunton from Garryowen FC kicking a penalty. The turning point of the game came ten minutes later with a try from Ulster flanker Matthew Irvine from an intercept, which O Connor converted to stretch the lead. With the wind picking up in the second half, Munster found it increasingly difficult to keep play inside the Ulster half. An Ulster try from fullback Greg Taylor after 65 minutes stretched their lead, and the home side held out for the victory. While Munster were certainly disappointed, they will be looking towards their next fixture against Connacht to bring them back into contention. Connacht were beaten by Leinster at the weekend on a score line of 29-17.

MUNSTER U19 TEAM V ULSTER

15. Willie Staunton (Garryowen FC) 14. Shane O Sullivan (Sunday s Well RFC) 13. Darragh Lynch (Clonakilty RFC) 12. Michael Kinsella (Shannon RFC) 11. Peter Broughan (Midleton RFC) 10. Alan Coughlan (Sunday s Well RFC) 9. Tony Cahill (Bruff RFC) 8. Tommy O Donnell (Clanwilliam RFC) 7. David Nathan (Cork Constitution RFC) 6. Oisin Keely (Corinthians) 5. Neilus Keogh (Bruff RFC) 4. David Walsh (Thurles RFC) 3. Donal Murphy (Garryowen FC) 2. Neil Bourke (Cork Constitution RFC) 1. Riobaird Wilmott (Bandon RFC)

REPLACEMENTS

16, Ben Rowley, Garryowen FC, 17, Ronan O Neill, Sunday s Well RFC, 18. Conor McNamara, Garryowen FC, 19. Cillian O Neill, Clonakilty RFC, 20. Dave Barry, Young Munster RFC, 21. Eamon Lane, Rockwell College, 22. Donal Collins, Rockwell College

2005/6 IRFU U19 INTERPROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP

FIXTURES/RESULTS

Saturday September 3^rd 2005- ULSTER 20 MUNSTER 8 (Ravenhill)

Friday 9^th September 2005- CONNACHT v MUNSTER (Sportsgrounds, 4pm)

Friday 16^th September 2005- MUNSTER v LEINSTER (Thomond Park, 5pm