U19 Boys' Match Report and Gallery vs Leinster

 

 

Leinster’s intentions were clear from the opening bell. The ball was moved to exploit space on the left. When that didn’t work, they came up the middle, left wing Zach Mulligan popping up to break the line. Centre Swords was on hand to complete the deal from 35 metres. James Curry converted in the fourth minute.

 

Connacht didn’t waste their first chance, centre Oisin O’Donoghue expertly whipping a pass to Josh Kelly. The full back held on just long enough to release Peter Moran into the right corner where the wing had to show commitment to resist a three man tackle. Oisin Kelly converted from the touchline.

 

The commitment of Norval to fight through contact was the spark behind the second try for the home side. Out-half Matthew Brennan took a gap and floated a pass for wing Ovenden to sidestep two defenders for a try, converted by Curry.

Unfortunately, Connact’s propensity for missing first-up tackles happened again when Sean McDonald broke free to feed captain O’Toole for the third try, converted by Curry for a 21-7 advantage in the 19th minute.

 

A Leinster overthrow at the lineout allowed hooker Sean Glennon to pounce for an opportunistic Connacht try, converted by Kelly in the 24th minute.

 

Connacht lock Dara Walsh executed a textbook turnover only for Curry to dispatch a 50:22. This led to drives by O’Toole and Josh Mulligan at the line that ended in a knock-on.

 

It was the goalline stand Connacht needed to generate greater intent in defence, causing spills outside the 22.

 

A penalty for making contact in the air offered Leinster the chance to come again. Smart handling was key to Swords making the line for another try to make it 26-14 at the break.

 

Leinster second row Michael Bolger picked up a loose ball to trigger a fine move in which centres Norval and Swords passed precisely. Tighthead prop Henry Maher bulldozed through tackles for a crowd-pleasing try, converted by Curry in the 37th minute.

 

Connacht redoubled their efforts, Moran jinking in from the right touchline. Just when it seemed as though the attack was petering out, flanker Pasha Thiam found a way through on the left.

 

No sooner had that happened than Leinster were away again, Zach Mulligan sending Norval to the posts for Curry’s extras to make it 40-19 in the 52nd minute.

 

The Westerners were still looking dangerous, full-back Kelly having his try disallowed for a knock on. Zach Mulligan snuffed out another chance through good positioning.

 

A period of persistent pressure produced a yellow card for Leinster’s Max Egan, leaving just enough room for Leo Anic to drive over in the 59th minute

 

The shift of Curry into out-half provided a second passing option, shown by putting Conor Cantwell through a gap and Zach Mulligan in for the final try, which Curry converted on the whistle.

 

Leinster: A Swords 2 tries; R Ovenden, B O’Toole, H Maher, D Norval, Z Mulligan try each; J Curry 6 cons.

Connacht: P Moran, S Glennon, P Thiam, L Anic try each; O Kelly 2 cons.

 

15. James Curry (Wicklow RFC)
14. Ryan Ovenden (Greystones RFC) / Ethan Balamash (Terenure College) 44 mins
13. Alvaro Swords (Terenure College) /
12. Daniel Norval (Wexford Wanderers RFC) / Conor Cantwell (St Mary’s College) 51 mins
11. Zach Mulligan (Gonzaga College)
10. Matthew Brennan (Castleknock College)
9. Sean McDonald (Presentation College, Bray) / Alex Crawley (St Mary’s College) 52 mins

1. Conor Canniffe (St Michael’s College) / Louis Magee (Blackrock College) 51 mins
2. Harry O’Neill (Blackrock College) / Jack McGovern (St Gerard’s School) 52 mins / Harry O’Neill (Blackrock College) 56 mins
3. Henry Maher (Cistercian College, Roscrea) / Lorcan Golden (Blackrock College) 52 mins
4. Michael Bolger (Suttonians RFC) / Max Egan (St Mary’s College) 44 mins
5. Cian Butler (Portlaoise RFC)
6. Shane McGuigan (Longford RFC)
7. Ben O’Toole (Castleknock College, Capt)
8. Arthur Ashmore (Clongowes Wood College) / Josh Mulligan (Gonzaga College) 10 mins.

 

15. Josh Kelly (St Mary's College)
14. Peter Moran (Carrick-on-Shannon RFC / Mohill Community College)
13. Oisin O'Donoghue (Buccaneers RFC / Marist College) /
12. Daniel Browne (Corinthians RFC / St. Joseph's Patrician College) / Billy Cross (Naas RFC / Newbridge College) ht;
11. Oisin Berthoz (Corinthians RFC / St. Joseph's Patrician College) / Ferdia Ó Braonáin (Corinthians RFC / Coláiste Chroí Mhuire) 58 mins
10. Oisin Kelly (Suttonians RFC / St Fintan’s High School Dublin)
9. Tom Walsh (Buccaneers RFC / Clongowes Wood College, Capt) / Fiachra O'Neill (Connemara RFC / Clifden Community School) 45 mins

1. Cathal Moffatt (Sligo Rugby / Sligo Grammar) / Oisin Meehan (Corinthians RFC / Presentation College Athenry) 60 mins
2. Seán Glennon (Buccaneers RFC / Garbally College) / Eoin O'Doherty (Wexford Wanderers / Good Counsel College) 45 mins
3. Dara Noone (Corinthian RFC / Coláiste Bhaile Chláir) / Ryan Duffy (Buccaneers RFC) 45 mins
4. Dara Walsh (Corinthians RFC / Coláiste Éinde)
5. Leo Anic (Creggs RFC / CBS Roscommon)
6. Pasha Thiam (Corinthians RFC / Coláiste Éinde)
7. Matthew McNamara (Galwegians RFC / Coláiste Éinde) / Conor Dalton (Galway Bay RFC / Coláiste Éinde) 45 mins
8. Dylan Rice (Castlebar RFC / St. Geralds College) / Simon Cantwell (Suttonians RFC / St Fintan’s High School) 6 mins.