Leinster power through in emphatic fashion

Munster Schools 9

Munster were in with a shout right up to the early stages of the second-half, but then their dreams were emphatically shattered. However, from the tenth minute of that second period, at 20-6 down, they hadn’t a chance against a highly motivated and more skilful Leinster team.

Ironically, it was after falling 14 points in arrears that Munster played their best rugby.

From the early stages it was clear that they had a struggle up front. The powerful Leinster front row got the inevitable nudge forward to make life difficult for scrum half Duncan Williams; Leinster seriously challenged Munster out of touch and they had more class in the back division.

Munster’s best period came in an eighth minute spell after Vincent Gough and David Blain pushed the Leinster advantage out to 20-6.

Munster captain Ruari Geoghegan and second rows Billy Holland and Ross Noonan did everything in their power to cut the arrears. Still, Munster, apart from some brilliant running from Cian McNaughton and a few thrusts from Williams, didn’t really have the ability to test Leinster.

MUNSTER: E. Ryan (PBC), F. Dennehy (PBC), C. McNaughton (Rockwell), T. Gleeson (PBC), D. O'Leary (PBC), B. O'Shea (Crescent), D. Williams (CBC), J. Hogan (Crescent), C. Parkes (St. Munchins), D. Hurley (CBC), B. Holland (CBC), R. Noonan (CBC), M. Essex (CBC), J. Harte (CBC), R. Geoghegan (PBC) captain).

Replacements used: K. Mitchell (Ard Scoil Ris), B. Hughes (Ard Scoil Ris), E. Ronan (CBC), R. Brockhert (Ard Scoil Ris), J. Gilmartin (Ard Scoil Ris), J. Kerins (CBC).

LEINSTER: R. Smyth (High School), D. Blain (Blackrock), G. Byron (St. Michaels), D. Sharkey (Clongowes), V. Gough (Castleknock), F. Lawlor , B. O'Neill (Old Belvedere), A. O'Sullivan (Pres Bray), J. Coady (Blackrock), P. Walsh (Clongowes), A. Dunlop (Terenure), K. O'Malley-Farrell (Terenure), P. Nash (St. Mary's) captain; K. O'Loughlin (Gonzaga), G. Murphy (Clongowes). Replacements used: D. Brophy (Terenure), S. Canavan (St. Gerards), E. Fitzgerald (Belvedere), K. Molloy (Terenure), A. Kelly (St. Michaels), N. Best (St. Michaels), C. Murphy (Belvedere).

Referee. A. McDowell (Ulster).