Munster Juniors Suffer Agonising Defeat

Ulster retained the Junior Interprovincial Title with a dramatic last-minute try gave them a 43-40 victory over Munster at Dromore.

For the second successive week Munster suffered defeat in the final minute of the game and that is what cost them the Championship this season.

Ulster took an early lead with a converted try, but Munster were level on fifteen minutes with a try from Aaron Rice, which Shane Airey converted.

The home side went ten points clear with a penalty and converted try, before skipper Kevin Kinnane kept Munster in the hunt with an unconverted try in the 25^th minute.

In the closing stages of the opening half Kinnane got his second try and Airey converted, but this try was sandwiched between two Ulster tries that saw Ulster lead 29-19 at halftime and had secured the bonus point and were within sight of retaining their crown.

Ten minutes into the second half Munster closed the gap to three points when they were awarded a penalty try to secure the bonus point.

Ulster restored their ten point margin with their fifth try on 65 minutes, but Munster’s reaction was swift, which saw Frank Horgan and Sonny Dwyer cross for tries, which Airey converted to put the visitors in front 40-36 with twelve minutes remaining.

However, Munster again conceded a late try and Ulster were assured of victory with their last minute converted try.

In the other game Leinster defeated Connacht 57-12 at Balbriggan.

Munster: Shane Airey (Newcastle West); Sean Murphy (Newcastle West), Brian J O’Sullivan (Kanturk), Laszio Rabatin (Old Christians), Sam Glynn (Mallow); Adam Guerin (St. Mary’s), Aaron Rice (Newcastle West); Nigel Clancy (Richmond), Tadgh McCarthy (Bantry Bay), Dave Jennings (Clonakilty); Ruairí O’Donnell (St. Mary’s), Killian O’Connell (Cobh Pirates); Josh Brady (Bandon), Sonny Dwyer (Thurles), Kevin Kinnane capt. (Kilfeacle).

Replacements: Gearoid Walsh (Rugbiaí Chorca Dhuibhne), Rob Loftus (Sunday’s Well), Cian Walsh (Old Christians), Ben Kennedy (Cobh Pirates), Jack Lonergan (Old Christians), Ben Daly (Waterpark), Brian P O’Sullivan (Kanturk), Frank Horgan (Muskerry).

Ulster: Michael Orr (Portadown); Jonny Hunter (Dromore), Robbie Johnston (Ards), Dean Dillon (Dromore), Davey Graham (City of Derry); Eddie Keys (Enniskillen), Angus Christie (Ards); Orran McIlmurray (Lurgan), Harry Long (Dromore),Matthew Millar (Dromore RFC); James Wright (Portadown), David Brown (Ballymoney); Henry Keys (Enniskillen), Curtis Pollock capt. (Ballymoney), Gary Dillon (Dromore),

Replacements: Tom Arthur Donnan (Cooke), Neil Rutledge (Enniskillen), Ryan Emerson (Lurgan, Will Scott (Ballymoney), Jack Rutledge (Enniskillen), Angus Keys (Enniskillen), Andrew McMurray (Cooke), Adam Keating (Dromore),

Referee: Euan O’Riordan (Leinster).