U18 Boys defeat Munster in Creggs

Connacht 20

(Corey Kelly and Owen Egan one try each; Dylan Curran two conversions and two tries)

Munster 14

(Alex Reddin and Cillian O’Flynn one try each; Sean O’Regan and Davyn Maher one conversion each)

By Ivan Smyth

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

The home outfit were the deserving winners as their lineout paved the way for a crucial win. 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.

CONNACHT: Cian Hynes, Dan Kelly, Darragh Glennon, John Brendan McDonnell, Owen Egan, Dylan Curran, Luke Molloy, James Siva, Hugh Óg Arnold, Corey Kelly, Michael Walsh, JJ Phillips, Rueben Colleran, Alastair Hewson, Ruben Flynn

Replacements Used: Felix Zeray, Reuben Galvin, Daithi Lambe, Cian Kiernan, Conor O’Reilly, Brian McHugh.

MUNSTER: 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.

Referee: Ryan Deacon.