Munster ‘A’ Claim Double Over Ulster
Following up on their win at Shaw’s Bridge last month, Munster ‘A’ completed the double over Ulster Ravens with a comfortable 30-8 victory in ideal conditions at Musgrave Park on Friday.
‘A’ INTERPROVINCIAL MATCH: Friday, November 6
MUNSTER ‘A’ 30 ULSTER RAVENS 8, Musgrave Park
Scorers: Munster ‘A’: Tries: Danny Riordan, Damien Varley, Christy Condon; Cons: Declan Cusack 2, Felix Jones; Pens: Declan Cusack 3
Ulster Ravens: Try: Ian Whitten; Pen: Niall O’Connor
Munster ‘A’ led 20-8 at half-time with tries from full-back Danny Riordan and hooker Damien Varley and added to that with second half Declan Cusack penalty and Felix Jones’ conversion of replacement Christy Condon’s 77th-minute try.
Condon’s initial introduction lasted less than a minute when he came on as a 59th minute replacement for Dave Kilcoyne, only to be yellow carded by referee Alan Rogan.
Munster ‘A’ drew first blood with a Cusack penalty after six minutes, but Ulster levelled ten minutes later with a Niall O’Connor penalty and they took the lead when the impressive Ian Whitten finished off a move started by Timoci Nagusa.
Cusack reduced the deficit with his second penalty before adding the extras to a well worked try finished by Riordan.
On the stroke of half-time, a bout of Munster pressure ended with a try under the posts for Varley.
Although disappointed by the defeat, Ulster Ravens team manager Gary Longwell still took plenty of positives out of the game.
“The boys played extremely well in the opening 30 minutes and looked to be in total control. After Ian Whitten’s try, they just seemed to switch off which let Munster right back into the game,” said the former Ulster and Ireland lock.
“The two club players in action – Dungannon’s Ali Birch and Ballynahinch’s Chris Napier – both went very well and I was pleased in general with a number of aspects of our game.
“All said, it was an excellent work-out ahead of the first British & Irish Cup clash with the Bedford Blues next Friday.
“A number of boys who are returning from injury got significant game-time. David Pollock played for 25 minutes and Chris Cochrane for 20 minutes, and both have come through without any problems.”
MUNSTER ‘A’: Danny Riordan; Felix Jones, Tom Gleeson, Scott Deasy, Denis Hurely; Declan Cusack, Paul Rowley; Dave Kilcoyne, Damien Varley, Stephen Archer, Ian Nagle, Dave Foley, Billy Holland, Tommy O’Donnell, James Coughlan (capt)..
Replacements used: Conor Murray for Rowley (52 mins), Chrisy Condon for Kilcoyne, Peter O’Mahony for O’Donnell (both 59), Kilcoyne for Holland (60-70, temp sub), Condon for Kilcoyne (70), Ronan O’Mahony for Riordan, E Moloney for Deasy (both 71), Mike Sherry for Varley, Kieran Essex for Coughlan (both 74).
ULSTER RAVENS: Jamie Smith; Timoci Nagusa, Jonny Shiels, Ian Whitten, Tommy Seymour; Niall O’Connor, Cillian Willis; Patrick McAllister, Declan Fitzpatrick, Adam Macklin, Neil McComb, Ryan Caldwell, Chris Napier, David Pollock, Tamaiti Horua.
Replacements used: Alistair Birch for Pollock (26 mins), Luke Marshall for Shiels (52), Chris Cochrane for Nagusa (65), Ian Porter for Willis, Ryan Fisher for McAllister (both 66), Justin Fitzpatrick for McComb, John Burns for Horua (both 76).
Referee: Alan Rogan (IRFU)