Points difference was required to separate three teams at the top of the PwC Under-18 Girls Interprovincial Championship table, as Leinster and Munster emerged as the two finalists.
Mullingar Rugby Club will host the much-anticipated finals day next Sunday afternoon, with Charlie Doel's Leinster side chasing their third title in-a-row at this level.
Boosted by Casey Johnston's hat-trick, Ulster ran the defending champions close, but Leinster won 39-27 in today's curtain-raiser at Affidea Stadium thanks to braces from Maebh Ní Cholla and Lauren Shevlin.
However, in a dramatic twist, Connacht's thrilling 20-14 comeback victory at Dexcom Stadium ended Munster's winning run, leaving the three leading teams on 10 points each.
Leinster topped the table thanks to a +45 points difference, closely followed by Munster with +30, and Connacht on +25. The westerners fell just short despite a trio of unanswered second-half tries from Róise Ní Scanláin, Leah McNamara, and Cairínn Kearns.
There are only two matches left in the PwC U-18 Schools Interprovincial Championship, and Munster's opening win of the campaign means all three teams remain in contention.
Ardscoil Rís hooker Leo Carman started and finished the try-scoring - taking his impressive tournament haul to four - as Munster overcame Ulster 32-26 to avenge their first round defeat by almost the same margin.
With a winning start to today's triple header at Virgin Media Park, Aiden McNulty's Munster youngsters now sit on seven points, one behind defending champions Leinster who have played a game less.
The Jonnie Kennedy-led Ulster outfit, who picked two bonus points in Cork, lead the way on nine points. Their fourth and final outing is a crunch showdown with Leinster at Banbridge RFC on Wednesday (kick-off 1pm).
The Schools Interpros will come to a fascinating conclusion at Energia Park next Sunday when Leinster and Munster meet in what could be a title decider.
Meanwhile, there were two wins each for Leinster and Munster in this afternoon's second round fixtures in the PwC Under-18 Clubs and Under-19 Interprovincial competitions.
The two victorious teams from the U-18 Clubs Championship's first round clashed at Creggs RFC, and Leinster came out on top, winning 26-19 to move four points clear at the summit.
Ken Moore's young Blues, who host Munster in next weekend's final round, had a decisive 16-point contribution from Navan scrum half Conor Martin, including a try in each half.
After their stirring second-half fightback fell short, second-placed Connacht travel next Saturday to Ulster who were edged out 34-33 by Munster in an enthralling 11-try encounter.
The lead changed hands four times in Cork, with Jed Poutney's late tap-penalty try, converted by Joel Clarke, leaving just a point in it, but Munster's try-scoring winger Josh Devlin made a crucial tackle to settle the issue in the hosts' favour.
The Leinster U-19s are two from two after running out convincing 50-24 winners over Connacht. St. Mary's College winger Chris Maguire added a fine hat-trick to his brace from the opener against Ulster.
Winners of the inaugural Barney McGonigle Trophy last August, Leinster now hold a four-point lead over Connacht and Munster in the standings, heading into the last match-ups.
Tommy O'Donnell's Munster U-19s opened their win account with a well-judged 41-21 triumph over Ulster. They were 34 points ahead at one stage, and had a flawless kicking display from Alan Cleary who scored 16 points.
PWC UNDER-18 GIRLS INTERPROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP - ROUND 3:
ULSTER U-18 GIRLS 27 LEINSTER U-18 GIRLS 39, Affidea Stadium
Scorers: Ulster: Tries: Casey Johnston 3, Rachel Douglas, Emily Irwin; Con: Emily Irwin
Leinster: Tries: Maebh Ní Cholla 2, Catherine Murphy, Lauren Shevlin 2, Lily Brophy, Anna Cosgrove; Cons: Sophia White 2
HT: Ulster 12 Leinster 29
ULSTER U-18 GIRLS: Zara Wright (Clogher Valley RFC); Katelyn Magee (Banbridge RFC) (capt), Emily Irwin (Omagh Academicals RFC), Sophie Hamilton (Omagh Academicals RFC), Anna Murray (Ballymena RFC); Cara Cowan-Smyth (Ballymoney RFC), Rachel Douglas (Banbridge RFC); Grace Fitzpatrick (Banbridge RFC), Alanna Scullion (Cooke RFC), Aoife Kirkpatrick (Ballymena RFC), Jessica Long (Letterkenny RFC), Dearbhla Smith (Virginia RFC), Dakota Foster (Malone RFC), Casey Johnston (Virginia RFC), Isabella Taylor (Ballymena RFC).
Replacements: Shannon Smyth (Omagh Academicals RFC), Isabella Copeland (Banbridge RFC), Lexi Fannin (Virginia RFC), Maisie Bowden (Cooke RFC), Charlotte Boyd (Clogher Valley RFC), Anna Brown (Malone RFC), Ava Fegan (Omagh Academicals RFC), Eve Hetherington (Banbridge RFC).
LEINSTER U-18 GIRLS: Robyn O'Reilly (Tullamore RFC); Lily Harney (Naas RFC), Saffron Adams (Portlaoise RFC), Catherine Murphy (Athy RFC), Anna Cosgrove (Dundalk RFC); Sophia White (Arklow RFC), Maebh Ní Cholla (Tullamore RFC); Lauren Shevlin (Dundalk RFC), Aimee Deering (Cill Dara RFC), Simi Shanu (De La Salle Palmerston FC), Mila Mihajlovic (Portarlington RFC), Eimear Duffy (Ardee RFC), Lily Brophy (Portlaoise RFC), Milita Valteryte (Dundalk RFC), Emily Miller (Cill Dara RFC) (capt).
Replacements: Zoe Byrne (Arklow RFC), Emily Quinn (Longford RFC), Lucy Noons (Cill Dara RFC), Ruby Osumah (Tullamore RFC), Niamh Pollard (MU Barnhall RFC), Maggie Kerins (Navan RFC), Amy O'Brien (Gorey RFC), Caoimhe O'Mahony (Mullingar RFC).
CONNACHT U-18 GIRLS 20 MUNSTER U-18 GIRLS 14, Dexcom Stadium
Scorers: Connacht: Tries: Rhea Sestak, Róise Ní Scanláin, Leah McNamara, Cairínn Kearns
Munster: Tries: Charlotte Deegan, Emer Purtill; Cons: Eden Waters 2
HT: Connacht 5 Munster 14
CONNACHT U-18 GIRLS: Niamh Gannon (Tuam RFC/Oughterard RFC); Leah McNamara (Westport RFC), Esther Albert (Ballinasloe RFC), Ruth Conway (Westport RFC), Anna Cooley (Gort RFC/Monivea RFC); Sally Fleming (Buccaneers RFC), Kitty Sweeney (Westport RFC) (capt); Róise Ní Scanláin (Tuam RFC/Oughterard RFC), Losalia Atonio (Tuam RFC/Ougherard RFC), Cairínn Kearns (Gort RFC/Monivea RFC), Anna Murphy (Castlebar RFC), Aoibhinn Lyons (Westport RFC), Orla Palasz (Westport RFC), Rhea Sestak (Loughrea RFC), Isabella Garvey (Sligo Rugby).
Replacements: Millie Ager (Claremorris Colts RFC), Amy Moran (Loughrea RFC), Holly Meehan (Gort RFC/Monivea RFC), Poppy Tunney-Ware (Westport RFC), Cora Heneghan (Buccaneers RFC), Rose Fleming (Buccaneers RFC), Chloe O'Connor (Buccaneers RFC), Mila Fralkova (Buccaneers RFC).
MUNSTER U-18 GIRLS: Cate Foley (Kilrush RFC/Ennis RFC); Emer Purtill (Garryowen FC), Alice O'Donovan (Bantry Bay RFC/Rebellettes) (capt), Elsa Quirke (Clonakilty RFC), Cora Miller (Waterpark RFC); Eden Waters (Richmond RFC/Scariff RFC), Grace Cronin (Bantry Bay RFC/Rebellettes); Róisín Cullinane (Midleton RFC), Richelle Kingston (Dunmanway RFC/Rebellettes), Charlotte Deegan (Fethard RFC), Pearl Phipps (Youghal RFC), Lisa O'Mahony (Ballincollig RFC), Laura Danaher (Scariff RFC/Richmond RFC), Caitríona Conroy (Dungarvan RFC), Sadhbh Whenlan (Scarriff RFC/Richmond RFC).
Replacements: Aobh Culloty (Tralee RFC), Ava Duggan (Richmond RFC/Scariff RFC), Alice Buckley (Ballincollig RFC), Danielle Naughton (Abbeyfeale RFC/Killarney RFC), Julie Moynihan (Midleton RFC), Saoirse Quinn (Ennis RFC), Keelin McCarthy (Clonakilty RFC), Ruby Wiley Murphy (Scariff RFC/Richmond RFC).
PWC UNDER-18 CLUBS INTERPROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP - ROUND 2:
CONNACHT U-18 19 LEINSTER U-18 CLUBS 26, Creggs RFC
Scorers: Connacht: Tries: Seán Cashell, Krystian Kopczynski, Tom Smyth; Cons: Daragh Murray 2
Leinster: Tries: Byron O'Hara, Rocco Quigley, Conor Martin 2; Cons: Conor Martin 3
HT: Connacht 7 Leinster 21
CONNACHT U-18: Josh Keane (Galway Corinthians RFC/Presentation College Headford); Elliot Friel (Buccaneers RFC/Moate Community School), David Walsh (Galway Corinthians RFC/Coláiste Éinde, Salthill), Daragh Murray (Buccaneers RFC/Marist College, Athlone), Tom Smyth (Claremorris RFC/St. Louis Community School, Kiltimagh); Evan McDonagh (Galway Corinthians RFC/Coláiste Bhaile Chláir), Liam Cadden (Westport RFC/Rice College Westport); Peter Daniel Sunny (Buccaneers RFC/Marist College, Athlone), Adam Murphy (Buccaneers RFC/Marist College, Athlone), Aengus Langan (Galway Corinthians RFC/Presentation College Headford), Seán Cashell (Sligo Rugby/Sligo Grammar School), Jeaic Fahy (Galway Corinthians RFC/ Coláiste Bhaile Chláir), Eoin Healy (Galway Corinthians RFC/Calasanctius College, Oranmore) (capt), Cormac Reddington (Dunmore RFC/Dunmore Community School), Joe Boote (Connemara RFC/Clifden Community School).
Replacements: Jude Kennedy (Carrick-on-Shannon RFC/Carrick-on-Shannon Community School), James Spellman (Tuam RFC/St. Jarlath's College, Tuam), Ethan Biggins (Ballinrobe RFC/Glenstal Abbey School), Krystian Kopczynski (Carrick-on-Shannon RFC/Carrick-on-Shannon Community School), Senan Walsh (Galwegians RFC/Clongowes Wood College), Alex Boland (Ballina RFC/St. Muredach's College, Ballina), Eoin Gannon (Galway Corinthians RFC/Coláiste Cholmcille, Inverin), Cian Silke (Westport RFC/Rice College Westport).
LEINSTER U-18 CLUBS: Leon Regan (Boyne RFC); Michael Redmond (Tullow RFC), Harry Ward (Naas RFC), Byron O'Hara (Terenure College RFC), Rocco Quigley (Enniscorthy RFC); Channing Dafel (Mullingar RFC), Conor Martin (Navan RFC); Joe Costello (Naas RFC), Dennis Phelan (Portlaoise RFC), Excel Ekemhenrekhian (Portlaoise RFC), Ciarán Dunne (Portlaoise RFC), Jimmy Shorten (Navan RFC), Aidan Tamming (Naas RFC) (capt), Jed Conroy (Suttonians RFC), Killian James (Portarlington RFC).
Replacements: CJ Jones (Malahide RFC), Eoghan Saunders (Terenure College RFC), Olly Quinn (Wicklow RFC), Joe Codd (Wexford Wanderers RFC), Cian MacDonald (Suttonians RFC), Iarla Sheahan (Birr RFC), Scott O'Shea (Kilkenny RFC), Sirio Scalabrino Noone (Suttonians RFC).
MUNSTER U-18 CLUBS 34 ULSTER U-18 CLUBS 33, Virgin Media Park
Scorers: Munster: Tries: Thomas Buckley, Josh Devlin, Seán O'Sullivan, Harry O'Dwyer, Harry O'Donoghue, Fionn O'Donovan; Cons: Tadhg Bane 2
Ulster: Tries: Corbin Marsden, Ayrton Pienaar, Jacob Ennis-McManus, Ryan Mitchell, Jed Poutney; Cons: Joel Clarke 4
HT: Munster 17 Ulster 7
MUNSTER U-18 CLUBS: Tadhg Bane (Ennis RFC); Josh Devlin (Newport RFC), Harry O'Donoghue (Ennis RFC), Ewan Knowles (Clonakilty RFC), Ruben O'Riordan (Youghal RFC); Davyn Maher (Old Christians RFC), Ryan O'Neill (Newport RFC); Thomas Buckley (Bruff RFC), Harry O'Dwyer (Old Crescent RFC), Peter O'Brien (Midleton RFC), Patrick Cooke (Clane RFC), Flynn Cooke (UL Bohemian RFC), Seán O'Sullivan (Kinsale RFC), Caolan Johnston (Waterpark RFC), Alex Reddin (Waterpark RFC) (capt).
Replacements: Nikolas Przewozniak (Bandon RFC), Ivor O'Riordan (Kinsale RFC), Calum Fitzgerald (Carrigaline RFC), Kenneth O'Brien (Dungarvan RFC), Christopher O'Flynn (Old Christians RFC), Rua Clancy (Waterpark RFC), Fionn O'Donovan (Clonakilty RFC), Oscar Flanagan (Waterpark RFC).
ULSTER U-18 CLUBS: Reuben Nicholl (Coleraine Grammar School/Coleraine RFC), Niall Kelly (Foyle College/Rainey RFC), Isaac Neil (Royal School Dungannon/Dungannon RFC), Ayrton Pienaar (Virginia RFC), Jacob Ennis-McManus (Rainey Endowed School/Rainey RFC); Joel Clarke (Royal School Dungannon/Dungannon RFC), Freddy Harris (Down High School/Ballynahinch RFC); Joe Baillie (Down High School/Ballynahinch RFC), Corbin Marsden (Larne Grammar School/Carrickfergus RFC) (capt), Ben Ledie (Larne Grammar School/Larne RFC), Ewan Morrison (Belfast High School/Belfast High School Former Pupils RFC), James Fullerton (Rainey Endowed School/Rainey RFC), Joey Carson (Regent House School/Ards RFC), Logan Cooke (Omagh Academy/Strabane RFC), Joe Rice D'Cruze (Friends' School Lisburn/Lisburn RFC).
Replacements: Joel Marrion (Dungannon RFC), Aydan Byrne (Dungannon RFC), Ryan Mitchell (Omagh Academy/Omagh Academicals RFC), Alexander Courtney (Dungannon RFC), Matthew Laird (Limavady Grammar School/Limavady RFC), Jed Poutney (Regent House School/Bangor RFC), Rhys Johnston (Carrickfergus RFC), Evan Prior (Belfast High School/Belfast High School Former Pupils RFC).
PWC UNDER-18 SCHOOLS INTERPROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP - ROUND 2:
MUNSTER U-18 SCHOOLS 32 ULSTER U-18 SCHOOLS 26, Virgin Media Park
Scorers: Munster: Tries: Leo Carman 2, Harry Quinlan, Robert Carrigan, Alexander Bramoulle; Cons: Mathew McCarthy 2; Pen: Mathew McCarthy
Ulster: Tries: Dylan Armstrong, Zac Topping, Adam Crone, Dylan Gray; Cons: Jack Best 3
HT: Munster 15 Ulster 12
MUNSTER U-18 SCHOOLS: Hugh Downey (CBC Cork); Alexander Bramoulle (Bandon Grammar School), Mathew McCarthy (PBC Cork), Jack Hayes (Cistercian College Roscrea), Adam Bennett (Crescent College Comprehensive); Harry Quinlan (CBC Cork), Tiernan Murphy (CBC Cork); William Powell (Cistercian College Roscrea), Leo Carman (Ardscoil Rís Limerick), Kyle Yoxall (St. Munchin's College), Mark Whelton (Bandon Grammar School), Andrew O'Connor (Castletroy College), Seán Ryan (Crescent College Comprehensive), Robert Carrigan (Rockwell College) (capt), Ronan Dillon (PBC Cork).
Replacements: Bobby Meagher (St. Munchin's College), Oisín Gleeson (Crescent College Comprehensive), David Fitzpatrick (Crescent College Comprehensive), Jay Walsh (Crescent College Comprehensive), Dylan L'Estrange (Bandon Grammar School), Gearóid Hickey (Crescent College Comprehensive), Jos Keating (Bandon Grammar School), Ronan O'Brien (St. Munchin's College).
ULSTER U-18 SCHOOLS: Dylan Gray (Royal Belfast Academical Institution); Zac Topping (Ballymena Academy), Will Rogers (Wallace High School), Jonnie Kennedy (Larne Grammar School) (capt), Zach Thompson (Campbell College Belfast); Jack Best (Campbell College Belfast), Rocco Steen (Royal Belfast Academical Institution); Adam Crone (Wallace High School), Dylan Armstrong (Campbell College Belfast), Reuben Gibson (Royal Belfast Academical Institution), Will Downey (Royal Belfast Academical Institution), Oscar Eddis (Ballymena Academy), Elliot Magowan (Royal Belfast Academical Institution), James Flanagan (Royal School Armagh), James Reid (Methodist College Belfast).
Replacements: Issac Crawford (Omagh Academy), Matthew Watkins (Royal Belfast Academical Institution), Conor McKinney (Campbell College Belfast), Elijah Fitzpatrick (Ballymena Academy), Ben Ellis (Wallace High School), Scott Hendeerson (Sullivan Upper School), Jack Robinson (Royal Belfast Academical Institution), Zach Thompson (Campbell College Belfast).
PWC UNDER-19 INTERPROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP - ROUND 2:
CONNACHT U-19 24 LEINSTER U-19 50, Creggs RFC
Scorers: Connacht: Tries: Daniel Kelly, Darragh Glennon, JJ Phillips, Tom Walsh; Cons: Dylan Curran 2
Leinster: Tries: Brion Donagh, Harrison McMahon 2, Chris Maguire 3, Harry O'Neill, Josh O'Keefe; Cons: Harrison McMahon 3, Michael Kenny 2
HT: Connacht 12 Leinster 17
CONNACHT U-19: Brian McHugh (Galway Corinthians RFC/Coláiste Bhaile Chláir); Owen Egan (Buccaneers RFC/Marist College, Athlone), John Finnan (Buccaneers RFC/Marist College, Athlone), Darragh Glennon (Buccaneers RFC/Marist College, Athlone), Daniel Kelly (Creggs RFC/Coláiste Mhuire, Ballygar); Dylan Curran (Galway Bay Rugby/Coláiste Chroí Mhuire, Spiddal), Tom Walsh (Buccaneers RFC); James Siva (Galway Bay Rugby/St. Joseph's Patrician College), Felix Zeray (Westport RFC/Rice College Westport), Corey Kelly (Tuam RFC/St. Jarlath's College, Tuam), JJ Phillips (Galwegians RFC/Coláiste Iognáid, Galway), Leo Anic (Buccaneers RFC/Galwegians RFC/CBS Roscommon), Micheál Walsh (Galwegians RFC/Coláiste Iognáid, Galway), Alastair Hewson (Carrick-on-Shannon RFC/Sligo Grammar School), Ruben Flynn (Galway Corinthians RFC/Cistercian College Roscrea) (capt).
Replacements: Hugh Óg Arnold (Sligo Rugby/Summerhill College, Sligo), Reuben Galvan (Sligo Rugby/Sligo Grammar School), Cathal Moffatt (Sligo Rugby/Sligo Grammar School), Barry Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Coláiste Iognáid, Galway), Cian Kiernan (Creggs RFC/CBS Roscommon), Luke Molloy (Galway Corinthians RFC/Presentation College Athenry), Oisín O'Donoghue (Buccaneers RFC/Marist College, Athlone), Tom Ruane (Ballina RFC/St. Muredach's College, Ballina).
LEINSTER U-19: Max Roche (St. Michael's College); Chris Maguire (St. Mary's College), Tom Martin (Newbridge College) (capt), Michael Kenny (Newbridge College), Tadg Young (St. Fintan's High School); Harrison McMahon (St. Michael's College), Jack Fogarty (St. Mary's College); Aiden McGovern (Boyne RFC), Brion Donagh (Newbridge College), Rory O'Brien (Terenure College), Eoin Farrell (St. Mary's College), James Gissing (Belvedere College), Harry O'Neill (St. Vincent's Castleknock College), Eoghan Brady (St. Mary’s College), Thibault Campbell (Wesley College).
Replacements: Séamus Whelan (Balbriggan RFC), Philip Murphy (New Ross RFC), Tadhg Halpenny (Dundalk RFC), Alan Higgins (Skerries RFC), Cillian O'Donovan (Newbridge College), Josh O'Keefe (Newbridge RFC), David Li (CUS), Franklin Onwuzulumba (Clondalkin RFC).
MUNSTER U-19 41 ULSTER U-19 21, Virgin Media Park
Scorers: Munster: Tries: Lewis Linehan, Evan Boland, Cathal O'Mara, William Hanley, Eamon Collins; Cons: Alan Cleary 5; Pens: Alan Cleary 2
Ulster: Tries: Cian McClean, Jayden Irwin, Isaac Hatch; Cons: Ollie Worth 3
HT: Munster 34 Ulster 0
MUNSTER U-19: David Sargent (Tralee RFC); Najim Jagana (Ardscoil Rís Limerick), Cathal O'Mara (Cistercian College Roscrea), Seán O'Regan (Old Christians RFC), Evan Boland (Castletroy College); Alan Cleary (Crescent College Comprehensive), Lewis Linehan (Bandon Grammar School); Caden Smith (Glenstal Abbey School), William Hanley (Fermoy RFC), Patrick O'Connor (Kilfeacle RFC), Cian O'Connor (Ennis RFC), Ben O'Connell (Castletroy College), Eamon Collins (Crescent College Comprehensive), Eddie Dooley (PBC Cork), Cathal O'Doherty (Ardscoil Rís Limerick) (capt).
Replacements: Kevin Griffin (Castletroy College), Seán FitzPatrick (CBC Cork), Conor Dillon (St. Munchin's College), Gareth Murphy (Ardscoil Rís Limerick), Jack Ashcroft (Crosshaven RFC/Cork Constitution FC), Liam O'Brien (PBC Cork), Noah Dann (Rockwell College), Robert O'Brien (Rockwell College).
ULSTER U-19: Isaac Hatch (Campbell College Belfast); Aaron Lowey (Campbell College Belfast), Ryan Hamilton (Royal School Armagh), Josh McCaughey (Down High School), Jack Coulter (Royal Belfast Academical Institution); Ollie Worth (Clongowes Wood College), James Wells (Campbell College Belfast); Elias Agbonkpolar (Belfast Royal Academy), Charlie Reaney (Royal School Armagh), Noah Carson (Ballymena RFC), Charlie Best (Campbell College Belfast), Archie Graham (Dalriada School), Theo Scott (Campbell College Belfast), Jayden Irwin (Belfast Royal Academy) (capt), Cian McClean (Royal Belfast Academical Institution).
Replacements: Josh McColgan (Ballyclare High School), Joel Irwin (Friends' School Lisburn), Jonah Wholly (Antrim Grammar School), Austin Adair (Ballyclare High School), Jacob McKeown (Sullivan Upper School), Sam Paton (Enniskillen Royal Grammar School), Adam Millar (Royal Belfast Academical Institution), Alfie Clarke (Dromore High School).
