U-21 Inter-pros: Moylan’s Munster On Top

Geoff Moylan’s Munster are emerging as favourites to claim the Under-21 Inter-provincial championship title later this month, especially after Friday night’s 16-5 win over Connacht.

UNDER-21 INTER-PROVINCIAL: Friday, September 9

Connacht U-21 5 Munster U-21 16, The Sportsground

Scorers: Connacht: Try: Brian Murphy

Munster: Tries: Billy Holland; Con: Conan Doyle; Pens: Doyle 3

In wet and windy conditions at the Sportsground, Munster secured their second away win of the series to confirm their standing at the top of the table.

A disciplined display saw the visitors lead 3-0 at the break thanks to a penalty from Garry fly-half Conan Doyle. But five minutes into the second half, from a close lineout attack, Connacht hit back with the game’s first try, scored by Corrib winger Brian Murphy in the left corner.

Unfortunately that was to be the westerners’ final score of the evening. Munster’s well-drilled pack took advantage of a 56th-minute sin-binning for Connacht back row Shane Young, and Doyle mopped up with his second penalty.

The lead gave Munster, 17-5 winners over Ulster last weekend, further confidence and they went on to wrap up the win with a try from team captain and UCC flanker Billy Holland and a third penalty success from Doyle.

Also at the Sportsground on Friday night, Munster Under-19s claimed a 9-0 Inter-pro win over their Connacht hosts thanks to two penalties and a drop goal from Garryowen’s William Staunton. At Naas RFC, two late penalties saw Leinster Under-19s chalk up a 6-0 win over their Ulster counterparts.

In the Junior Inter-provincial championship, the final weekend of matches confirmed Munster as the 2005/06 champions. First half tries from Kilfeacle & District flanker Pierce Breen, Ennis scrum half Colm Murphy and Thurles prop Toss Stapleton ensured a 23-8 win for Munster over Connacht on Saturday. Four Simon Bond penalties helped Ulster past Leinster in their final junior championship match, 12-7 at Dromore RFC.

CONNACHT U-21: Mark Butler (Sligo); Brian Murphy (Corrib), Michael Aspell (Connemara), Killian Finane (UCG) (Capt), Cormac O’Beirne (Corinthians); Peter Durcan (Ballina), Peter Phelan (Galwegians); Michael Diffley (Buccaneers), Conor Muldoon (Galwegians), Craig Telford (Dublin University), Liam Scahill (Westport), David McGowan (Buccaneers), Richard Morrow (Dublin University), Shane Young (Dublin University), Liam Casserly (Galwegians).

Replacements: John Hogan (Bruff); Mike Kelly (Corinthians), Colin Malone (Buccaneers), Cathal Doyle (UCD), John Mullen (Connemara), Shane Considine (Corinthians), Colm Power (Corinthians).

MUNSTER U-21: Ian Hanley (UL Bohs); Eric Moloney (UCC), Tom Gleeson (Cork Constitution), Evan Ryan (UCC), Ed Mills (Dolphin); Conan Doyle (Garryowen), Duncan Williams (UCC); Darragh Hurley (UCC), Batt Duggan (UCC), Dave Ryan (Highfield), Ben Nagle (UCC), Chris Kenefick (UCC), Billy Holland (UCC) (Capt), Michael Essex (UCC), David Sherry (Garryowen).

Replacements used: Richie Feeney (UL Bohs) for Hurley, Michael O’Hea (Garryowen) for Nagle, Alistair Ross (Cork Constitution) for Moloney.

U-21 Inter-provincial Championship Fixtures:

Friday September 16: Munster U-21 v Leinster U-21, Thomond Park, 7.00pm; Saturday, September, 17: Ulster U-21 v Connacht U-21, Ravenhill, 1.00pm

Saturday September 24: Series Play-Offs, Dubarry Park, Buccaneers RFC