Report | Munster Juniors Fall To Narrow Loss In Interpros Opener

Munster 34, Ulster 40.

Munster were defeated by Ulster in the opening round of the Junior Interprovincial Series at Virgin Media Park. They also claimed two bonus points, as they scored four tries in a ten-try thriller.

This game was also preceded by a minute’s silence in memory of the late Andrew Eadie, former president of Killorglin RFC.

Munster opened the scoring in the third minute when Killian O’Connell dived under the posts for the game’s opening try. Shane Airey followed it up with the simple conversion.

The visitors opened their account in the tenth minute when Eddie Keys barged over in the corner for their first try.

Munster doubled their lead two minutes later with a second try under the posts by Sam Quinlan, which was also converted by Airey.

Ulster had the home side pinned back entering the second quarter. Tom Arthur-Donan was credited with a pushover try in the 19th minute, following a lineout maul. Eddie Keys followed it up with his first conversion.

James Ferguson put Ulster in the driving seat for the first time in the contest with a try in the corner, which was also converted by Eddie Keys.

In the 30th minute, the home side regained the lead when Munster opted for a quick tap from a penalty. Airey levelled matters with the home side’s fourth try. He also restored Munster’s lead with his third conversion.

Three minutes before the interval, Airey extended the home side’s lead by a further three points as he converted a penalty inside the Ulster 22. This left the half-time scoreline reading 24-19 in Munster’s favour.

Airey extended Munster’s lead to eight points as he converted his side’s second penalty six minutes after the resumption.

Ulster had the home side back on the defensive as Eddie Keys, Dean Dillon and Charlie Williamson each ran in unanswered tries. All three were converted by Eddie Keys.

With time almost up, Josh Brady scored Munster’s fourth try, which Airey converted, to rescue two bonus points for the home side.

Munster travel to the home of De la Salle Palmerston FC in Kilternan in South County Dublin next week, to take on Leinster, who were defeated 34-31 by Connacht at Ballyhaunis in East Mayo.

Check out the full gallery here.

Munster Scorers: Shane Airey try, 4 cons, 2 pens; Killian O’Connell, Sam Quinlan, Josh Brady tries.

Ulster Scorers: Eddie Keys 2 tries, 5 conversions; Tom Arthur-Donan, James Ferguson, Dean Dillon, Charlie Williamson tries.

Munster: Ben Daly (Waterpark); Sam Glynn (Mallow), Jack O’Connell (Crosshaven), Brian Mullins (Richmond), Sean Murphy (Newcastle West) ; Shane Airey (Newcastle West), Dave Evans (Kinsale); Matthew McCarthy (Clonakilty), Scott Kingston (Bandon), Cian Walsh (Old Christinas); Killian O’Connell (Cobh Pirates), Tadhg Galvin (Bandon); Josh Brady (Bandon), Sam Quinlan (Thurles), Scott Nolan (Waterpark).

Replacements: Phillip O’Callaghan (Muskerry), Cathal Dennehy (Muskerry), David Jennings (Clonakilty), Conor O’Sullivan (Kanturk), Kain Donnellan (Bandon), Fionn Fogarty (Thurles), Shane Purcell (Richmond), Frankie Horgan (Muskerry).

Ulster: Jonny Hunter (Dromore); Sam Balfour (Enniskillen), James Ferguson (Enniskillen), Dean Dillon (Dromore) Robbie Johnston (Ards); Eddie Keys (Enniskillen), Charlie Williamson (Lurgan); David Braden (Omagh Academicals), Tom Arthur-Donnan (Ards) Ryan Emerson (Lurgan); James Wright (Portadown), Jack Rutledge (Enniskillen); Henry Keys (Enniskillen), Michael Rooney (Enniskillen), Gary Dillon (Dromore).

Replacements: Niall Kennan (Enniskillen), Andrew Shaw (Bangor), Simon Creane (Omagh Academicals), Ryan Hughes (Dromore), Richard Dickson (Dromore), Angus Keys (Enniskillen), Daire Hill (Enniskillen), James Wright (Ballymoney).
Referee: Sean Kearns (ARLB)