U19s come up short against Munster

Munster 34

(David Geoghegan, Robert O’Donnell, Bobby O’Callaghan and Rory Forde one try each; Rory Forde four conversions and two penalties)

Connacht 12

(Peter Moran and Oisin Berthoz one try each; Billy Cross one conversion)

By Ivan Smyth

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: 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: Josh Kelly, Peter Moran, Oisin O'Donoghue, Daniel Browne, Philip Finnan, Oisin Kelly, Tom Walsh, Cathal Moffatt, Seán Glennon, Ryan Duffy, Pasha Thiam, Dara Walsh, James Greaney, Luke Keaveny, Simon Cantwell

Replacements Used: Oisin Berthoz, Matthew McNamara, Dylan Rice, Fiachra O’Neill, Billy Cross, Jaynel Almanzar, Oisin Meehan, Dara Noone.

Referee: Euan O’Riordan

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