Stars of the future on parade

Euskarians (Basque) Development 26 Munster Development 42

The games of Tom Gleeson, Richard Lane, Brian Tuohy, Jeremy Manning and Gerry Hurley will come up in serious conversation when the Heineken Cup squad for next year is being finalised.

Ironically, one of the opposition could also come into the equation. The Basque captain was Shaun Hegarty, whose father played for New Zealand but his grandparents are from Cork and he qualifies for Ireland.

“It was a very good display, an opportunity to see some players from the Munster Academy operate at a different level of rugby,” team manager Hamish Adams said.

After falling behind to an early try from Hegarty, Munster dominated the game. They opened their account with a penalty try that Manning converted. Brian Tuohy then went over and Manning again converted before the winger sent Tom Gleeson in. Manning’s additional points and the conversion of a try from Denis Fogarty put Munster 28-7 ahead at the break.

The home side hit back strongly with a penalty try before Breffni O’Connell scored and Conan Doyle converted and - after Marc Apezetxea grabbed another try for the home side - Eugene McGovern had the last word with a try that Doyle converted.

MUNSTER: D. Hurley (UCC), R. Lane (UCC), T. Gleeson (UCC), M. Kingsbeer (UCC), B. Tuohy (Shannon), J. Manning (UCC), G. Hurley (Garryowen), F. Roche (Shannon), D. Fogarty (Cork Con), E. McGovern (Old Crescent), D. Ryan (UCC), S. O’Connor (Cork Con), M. Melbourne (Garryowen), F. Cogan (Cork Con, captain), A. Kavanagh (Garryowen).

Replacements. C. Doyle (Garryowen) for Manning, B. O’Donnell (UL Bohemians) for Lane (both 46), R. Callaghan (Garryowen) for Roche, B. Madigan (UL Bohemians) for Ryan (both 48), N. Conroy (Shannon) for Fogarty (49), R. Noonan (UCC) for Melbourne (55), M. Essex (UCC) for Kavanagh, F. O’Loughlin (Shannon) for Hurley (62).

EUSKARIANS: M. Apezetxea, I. Hiriart, S. Hegarty (captain), M. Abad, D. Labarthe, I. Thuriria, J. Tillous, P. Iguiniz, D. Luro, M. Bergo, J. Mendulbetz, I. Murillo, A. Tillous, J. Ternicien.

Replacements. P. Otano for Abad, D. Daramy for Luro (both 60).

Referee: P. Betse.