It was a busy weekend of Munster age-grade Interprovincial action with the Munster U18 Girls, U18 Boys Clubs, U18 Boys Schools and U19 Boys all playing matches across Saturday and Sunday.
Munster's Niamh Crotty in action
©INPHO[/caption] The Western province extended their lead in the second half thanks to a try by Emily Foley. Munster did hit back with a try from Killarney's Ava O'Malley but hopes of a comeback were dashed when Connacht added three more points from the tee with the game finishing 5-13 to the visitors.
Munster's Micheal Frawley with Eoin O'Doherty of Leinster
©INPHO[/caption] Leinster then stretched their lead with converted tries from Paidi Gorman and Sam Fennell. Down 13-35, Munster responded superbly. Cournane showed a great step and acceleration to glide through the Leinster defence to score a try which was converted by Connellan. Michael Frawley then got another try back for Munster which was converted by Connellan to reduce the deficit to 27-35. Leinster's Sean Walsh got an important try for Leinster after that which was converted by Farrell. Munster responded with two unconverted tries, the latter from Michael O'Sullivan which left just five points between the teams but there wasn't enough time for Munster to get one more score.
Munster U18 Girls 5 - 13 Connacht U18 Girls
Up first were the Munster U18 Girls who took on Connacht in Musgrave Park on Saturday. Unfortunately, Willie Shubart's side couldn't get their Interpro campaign off to a winning start as Connacht ran out 5-13 winners. Connacht's Saoirse Lawley got the only try of the first half as Connacht took a 0-5 lead into half-time. [caption id="attachment_179352" align="alignnone" width="835"] Munster's Niamh Crotty in action©INPHO[/caption] The Western province extended their lead in the second half thanks to a try by Emily Foley. Munster did hit back with a try from Killarney's Ava O'Malley but hopes of a comeback were dashed when Connacht added three more points from the tee with the game finishing 5-13 to the visitors.
Munster U18 Girls To Face Connacht
15. Niamh Crotty (Dolphin RFC) (CC) 14. Lyndsey Clarke (Ennis RFC) 13. Caitriona Finn (Ballina Killaloe RFC/UL Bohemian RFC) 12. Lily Byrne (Dolphin RFC) 11. Siobhan O’Callaghan (Dolphin RFC) 10. Meaghan Crilly (Dolphin RFC) 9. Grace Dillon (Shannon RFC) 1. Ella Buckley (Kanturk RFC) 2. Emma Dunican (Tralee RFC) 3. Niamh McCarthy (Bantry Bay RFC) 4. Sally Hayes (Bruff RFC) 5. Aoife Grimes (Shannon RFC) 6. Aoibheann McGrath (Dungarvan RFC/Carrick-on-Suir RFC) (CC) 7. Ava O’Malley (Killarney RFC) 8. Sally Kelly (Ennis RFC) Replacements: 16. Orlaith Morrissy (Sunday’s Well RFC/Ballincollig RFC) 17. Tuathla Ryan (Ballina Killaloe RFC) 18. Annie Lynch (Ennis RFC) 19. Niamh Hilliard (Clonakilty RFC) 20. Orla McCullum (Fermoy RFC) 21. Mia Hennelly (Ballina Killaloe RFC) 22. Hannah Hehir (Shannon RFC) 23. Alex Good (Bandon RFC) Results: Round 1 | Munster 5 - 13 ConnachtMunster U18 Boys Clubs 37 - 42 Leinster U18 Boys Clubs
It was a busy day in Fethard Town Park with a triple-header taking place in the Tipperary venue. First up was the Munster U18 Boys Clubs side as they took on their Leinster counterparts at 1pm. In a tight first half, Leinster took an early lead with a try from Harley Fagan which was converted by Darragh Farrell. Munster responded well when Conall Cournane produced a deft chip over the top of the Leinster defence which Michael Connellan was able to ground for the home side's opening try. Cournane's conversion drifted wide as the gap was reduced to two points. A long passage of play eventually resulted in some space opening up which allowed Fagan to get his second try which Farrell converted as Leinster took a 5-14 lead. Munster reduced the deficit to 8-14 before half-time with three points thanks to a successful penalty from Connellan. Both sides exchanged tries early in the second half. Conan Gartland scoring for Lenster which was converted by Farrell before Munster responded with a try from Oskar Olszewski which went unconverted. [caption id="attachment_179354" align="alignnone" width="835"] Munster's Micheal Frawley with Eoin O'Doherty of Leinster©INPHO[/caption] Leinster then stretched their lead with converted tries from Paidi Gorman and Sam Fennell. Down 13-35, Munster responded superbly. Cournane showed a great step and acceleration to glide through the Leinster defence to score a try which was converted by Connellan. Michael Frawley then got another try back for Munster which was converted by Connellan to reduce the deficit to 27-35. Leinster's Sean Walsh got an important try for Leinster after that which was converted by Farrell. Munster responded with two unconverted tries, the latter from Michael O'Sullivan which left just five points between the teams but there wasn't enough time for Munster to get one more score.