Leinster Under-19s Prove Too Strong For Munster
Scrum half Fintan Gunne is pictured in possession for the Leinster Under-19s against Munster at Energia Park ©INPHO/Bryan Keane
In a game played in all four seasons at Energia Park, the Leinster Under-19s beat Munster 27-7 to begin their PwC IRFU U-19 Men’s Interprovincial campaign in impressive fashion.
PWC IRFU UNDER-19 MEN’S INTERPROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND 1: Saturday, August 21
LEINSTER U-19s 27 MUNSTER U-19s 7, Energia Park, Donnybrook
Scorers: Leinster U-19s: Tries: Jim Peters, James Nicholson, Diarmuid Mangan, Gus McCarthy; Cons: Sam Prendergast 2; Pen: Sam Prendergast
Munster U-19s: Try: Evan O’Riordan; Con: Jack Oliver
HT: Leinster U-19s 5 Munster U-19s 7
Photo Gallery: Leinster And Munster Kick Off U-19 Interpros
Round 1: Ulster U-19s Outlast Connacht To Make Winning Start
Prop Evan O’Riordan’s try on the stroke of half-time edged Munster into a 7-5 lead, responding to an earlier effort from Leinster lock Jim Peters.
The wet weather gave way to sunshine on the restart, with Leinster captain Sam Prendergast taking advantage to kick his side in front from a penalty.
Andy Wood’s charges went 15-7 up when out-half Prendergast kicked through for winger James Nicholson to touch down.
They added two more tries in a rain-lashed final ten minutes to seal their bonus point. Diarmuid Mangan, via a lovely George Hadden pass, and replacement Gus McCarthy both crossed.
This first round clash got off to a scrappy start with the ball being spilled everywhere in very poor handling conditions. However, both sides gradually made their mark.
Newbridge College’s Prendergast missed a fifth-minute penalty, but at the afternoon’s first scrum, on a Munster put-in, Leinster put their arch rivals under severe pressure.
Indeed, the set piece gave the Blues the platform for the opening score. From a five-metre scrum, Leinster went through the phases and Portlaoise forward Peters drove over for an unconverted try.
Both defences were on top in the wet conditions, which made try-scoring opportunities a rare occurrence. Leinster missed out on another try when losing the ball forward over the line.
Munster hit back with a great turnover, won by blindside Rudhan Quinn in the 28th minute, and took their chance well just before the break.
Cork Constitution youngster O’Riordan went in under the posts for a well-taken try, converted by Munster captain Jack Oliver whose kick split the teams at the turnaround.
Three minutes into the second half, Leinster retook the lead with Prendergast’s only successful penalty. It was all to play for with some evenly-matched phases.
It took a great dink from Prendergast to open up the Munster defence, setting up Nicholson from St. Michael’s College to notch Leinster’s second seven-pointer.
As the half wore on, Leinster looked to be in control of proceedings and scored again at a crucial stage. Newbridge’s Mangan went over in the corner to make it 20-7.
Barely moments later, Blackrock College’s McCarthy burrowed his way over as the torrential rain hit Donnybrook again. Prendergast’s conversion completed his seven-point haul.
The tigerish Leinster defence did not give Munster an inch during the final minutes. On a challenging day weather-wise, the aggression and physicality of the victors’ forwards made the difference.
LEINSTER U-19:Â Andrew Osborne (Naas RFC); James Nicholson (St. Michael’s College), Hugh Cooney (Blackrock College), David Dooley (MU Barnhall RFC), Ethan Laing (Blackrock College); Sam Prendergast (Newbridge College) (capt), Fintan Gunne (St. Michael’s College); George Hadden (Gorey RFC), Tom Barry (Gonzaga College), Ronan Foxe (Tullamore RFC), Daniel Leane (St. Mary’s College), Jim Peters (Portlaoise RFC), Diarmuid Mangan (Newbridge College), Liam Molony (Blackrock College), Matthew Victory (St. Michael’s College).
Replacements: Gerhard Zdunek (Temple Carrig School), Gus McCarthy (Blackrock College), Patrick McCarthy (Blackrock College), James Doyle (Enniscorthy RFC), Dan Carroll (St. Michael’s College), Oscar Cawley (Naas RFC), Matthew Lynch (Terenure College), Darragh Gilbourne (St. Mary’s College).
MUNSTER U-19:Â Jacob O’Driscoll (Bandon RFC); Joshua Costello (Shannon RFC/St. Munchin’s College), Henry Buttimer (Rockwell College/Clonmel RFC), Liam McCarthy (Bandon Grammar School/Skibbereen RFC), James O’Brien (St. Munchin’s College/St Mary’s RFC); Jeff Williams (Bandon Grammar School/Bandon RFC), Jack Oliver (Garryowen FC/Castletroy College) (capt); Evan O’Riordan (CBC Cork/Cork Constitution FC), Thomas Land (CBC Cork/Midleton RFC), Danny McCarthy (Midleton RFC/Midleton CBS), Eoghan Sheehan (CBC Cork/Dolphin RFC), Tommy O’Connor (St. Gerard’s School), Rudhan Quinn (Crescent College Comprehensive/Ballina-Killaloe RFC), Peter Hyland (PBC Cork/Cork Constitution FC), Brian Gleeson (Rockwell College/Thurles RFC).
Replacements: Conall Henchy (Crescent College Comprehensive/UL Bohemian RFC), Gus Harrington (Shannon RFC/St. Munchin’s College), Stephen Hayes (St. Munchin’s College/St. Mary’s RFC), Diarmuid Dennehy (Bruff RFC), Kevin Roche (CBC Cork/Cork Constitution FC), Andrew O’Mahony (CBC Cork/Dolphin RFC), Daire Burke (CBC Cork/Cork Constitution FC), Paddy Hassett (Ardscoil RÃs/Shannon RFC), Jack Kevane (Bandon Grammar School/Skibbereen RFC), James Finn (Nenagh Ormond RFC/St. Joseph’s CBS), Luke Doyle (Waterford City RFC).