Neil Byrne’s 18-point haul helped the MU Barnhall Under-20s to their first ever Fraser McMullen Cup title win, as they overcame UCD 23-19 to go from beaten finalists to champions in the space of a year.

FRASER MCMULLEN ALL-IRELAND UNDER-20 MEN’S CUP FINAL:
Saturday, April 11 –

MU BARNHALL 23 UCD 19, Merrion Road, Wanderers FC
Scorers: MU Barnhall: Tries: Eoin O’Doherty, Neil Byrne; Cons: Neil Byrne 2; Pens: Neil Byrne 3
UCD: Tries: Ríain Coogan, Penalty try, Josh Powell; Cons: Conor Moloney, Pen try con
HT: MU Barnhall 13 UCD 7

Coached by Tom McKeown and captained by Alex Crowley, MU Barnhall emerged as this year’s All-Ireland Under-20 champions, gaining some revenge for their home defeat to UCD in the recent JP Fanagan Premier 1 decider.

Hooker Eoin O’Doherty’s 34th-minute try off a maul, coupled with eight points from full-back Byrne’s reliable right boot, gave MU Barnhall a 13-7 lead at the end of a hotly-contested first half.

In sunny but windy conditions, UCD had ended the opening quarter with a 7-3 advantage, on the back of Ríain Coogan rumbling over from close range. They edged back in front with a strong start to the final 40 minutes.

However, College’s 51st-minute penalty try was swiftly cancelled by Byrne’s brilliant surge to the try-line. Despite Josh Powell crossing to close the gap to 20-19, Byrne split the posts in the 70th minute with what proved to be the match-winning penalty.

There were joyous scenes at the finish for MU Barnhall, twelve months on from their devastating late loss to Clontarf. It is another big achievement for the Leixlip-based club, whose senior Men’s team swept to Division 2A glory recently, along with the Women’s side’s promotion to the Energia All-Ireland League.