Mixed Fortunes For Munster Underage Sides In Connacht

The Munster U19s and U18 Boys Clubs sides were in action against their Connacht counterparts at the weekend with the U19s emerging with a 34-12 victory as the U18 Clubs were beaten 20-14.

Read Ivan Smyth’s match reports of both games below.

 Connacht U19s 12-34 Munster U19s

Munster secured the ideal start to their U19 interprovincial campaign as they proved too strong for a spirited Connacht side.

It was the winners’ pack that dominated this contest while the sharpness of their backline was a key component in this triumph. Munster will be a stern test for any side in this year’s Interprovincials while Connacht can take heart from an improved second half showing as they outscored the visitors 12-10 after the break.

Munster’s pack dominated the first half as the visitors were able to use their expert lineout as a key attacking weapon. They were also able to disrupt the Connacht lineout as they managed to force a crucial turnover when the home side had the put in inside the Munster ’22 inside the opening two minutes.

After an excellent counter ruck earned Munster a penalty outside the Connacht ’22 inside the opening three minutes, Aiden McNulty’s men had no hesitation in kicking to the corner.

Munster claimed the 5m lineout and after the visitors earned a penalty advantage, Zach Piper was held up just short after a lovely reverse pass from scrum half Aaron Moloney. However, from the next phase, prop David Geoghegan got over with Rory Forde adding the extras.

Connacht were indebted to winger Phillip Finnan for a try saving tackle on Munster prop Richie Whelan who had shown a clean pair of heels to move within five metres of the Connacht line. From the next phase, Cillian McNamara carried but Connacht managed to earn themselves a pressure relieving penalty.

Munster were unrelenting in the opening quarter as Forde slotted a tricky penalty against the increasingly stiff breeze. Connacht began to string phases together with one passage of play seeing Josh Kelly carry strong after a perfectly weighted pass from Oisin O’Donoghue.

However, Munster struck again when Robert O’Donnell secured an intercept inside his own 10m line and raced over the Connacht try line. Once more, Forde added the extras. This gave Munster an extra surge of energy and they ended the first half in emphatic fashion as Bobby O’Callaghan produced an excellent break to dive in under the posts. This helped Munster lead 24-0 at half time.

The men in red sought to extend their advantage at the start of the second half as both Cillian McNamara and Zach Piper almost crossed the try line. On both occasions though Connacht’s defence proved strong as they earned penalties on their try line.

Connacht opened their account when Fiachra O’Neill’s snipe at the back of a lineout brought possession into the Munster half. Connacht went wide and an excellent break from winger Peter Moran saw him get past two challenges to cross in the corner.

Munster hit back as their pack got them close to the Connacht line before Rory Forde crossed before converting himself. Connacht did answer back as Oisin Berthoz sprinted clear of the Munster defence for a try but Forde had the final say as he kicked a late penalty to bring his tally to 19 points and to earn Munster a notable win.

Munster U19s: Keelan Dunne; Bobby O’Callaghan, Robert O’Donnell, Rory Forde, Gerry Joyce; Daniel Coughlan, Aaron Moloney; Richie Whelan, Zach Piper, David Geoghegan; David Mac Coitir, Tom Shanahan; Kedagh Broderick, Cillian McNamara, Charlie Bramley.

Replacements Used: Sean Roche, Evan Welham, Olan Dillon, Frankie Óg Sheehan, Oscar Doody, Soloman Delea, Jack O’Callaghan, Tomás Crotty.

Connacht U18s 20-14 Munster U18 Clubs

Connacht commenced their U18 Interpros campaign with a gritty win over a determined Munster outfit.

Munster provided no shortage of effort and endeavour as Cillian O’Flynn’s late try set up a tense finale. However, Connacht were able to play the closing stages in the right parts of the field as they held on to secure the win.

Connacht’s sharpness at set piece time was the standout feature of the first half. The home side retained possession from all six of their lineouts and managed to earn three turnovers on the Munster put ins also.

Even with the inevitable early nerves, Connacht looked sharp with ball in hand although Munster showed their early menace when Cillian O’Flynn almost broke through after he took an excellent line. Munster suffered a blow when second row Alex Ryan was sin binned and Connacht quickly made their advantage count.

JJ Phillips’ superb offload to livewire winger Owen Egan brought Connacht within five metres of the line. The Connacht supporters thought their side had scored when Corey Kelly barged forward but he was adjudged to have been held up. However, Connacht had the advantage and from the resulting five metre penalty, Kelly crashed over as Dylan Curran added the extras.

Munster continued to pose a threat as they earned a five metre lineout when Sean O’Regan produced a great kick to the corner. After Daniel Moloney claimed the lineout, Connacht managed to earn a pressure-relieving five metre scrum.

Connacht struck again as a flowing move saw John Brendan McDonnell and Darragh Glennon provide pinpoint passes as Egan sprinted under the posts.

Munster showed they were far from finished as Connacht saw Alastair Hewson sin binned. Alex Reddin crossed after a linebreak from O’Flynn and slick hands from Michael Griffin sent the back rower through. This cut Connacht’s advantage with the home side leading 14-7 at half time.

If the first half was about using their set piece against the elements, the second period was all about Connacht’s ability to soak up early pressure before using the boot of Dylan Curran to gain territory and punish any Munster indiscretions.

The start of the second half was the opposite of the first as Munster pressed the action with Connacht forced to survive extended periods without possession. Connacht maintained their discipline and when Alastair Hewson returned from his sin binning the home side were able to impose themselves on the game.

The next score was always going to prove crucial and Connacht managed to grab it when Dylan Curran slotted a penalty from the Munster 10m line to propel Connacht 17-7 in front.

Another Curran penalty gave his side further breathing room as Connacht began to crank up the pressure on the Munster defence. Curran saw another penalty drift wide as Munster’s spirit almost paid off when O’Flynn took an excellent line before a sharp sidestep saw the centre cross with Davyn Maher adding the extras.

However, Connacht were not to be denied as they held on for a deserved triumph.

Munster U18 Clubs: Diarmuid Gleeson; Liam Kelleher, Cillian O’Flynn, Darragh Carroll, Josh Devlin; Sean O’Regan, Edward Breen; Dara O’Brien, Calum Tutty, Jonathan Tutty; Daniel Moloney, Alex Ryan; Daniel Ward, Alex Reddin, Michael Griffin.

Replacements Used: William Hanley, Ronan Maher, Patrick O’Connor, PJ Walsh, Alan Phelan, Devyn Duggan, Davyn Maher, Emmet Nolan.