Donnan puts end to Ulster drought

Munster U20 9 Ulster U20 18

In an even first half Ulster just shaded it and led 8-5 at half time.

Brian Haugh gave Munster an early lead with a penalty but Ulster hit back when they mauled the ball over the line from a line-out — John Donnan credited with the score.

Haugh and Ulster out-half Stuart Olding exchanged penalties just before the break.

Both kickers were on target early in the second half and 13 minutes from time Ulster sealed victory with a try from Mark Best, while Olding converted.

MUNSTER: D Sweetnam (Bandon GS); R Jermyn (Midleton), H McNulty (Dublin Uni), R Scannell (Dolphin), A Enright (Abbeyfeale); T Kiersey (Waterpark), B Haugh (Young Munster); N Horan (Crescent Comp), W Foley (Dolphin), B Scott (UCC); S McCarthy (Shannon), J Madigan (Charleville); J O’Donoghue (UL Bohs), D Ryan (Young Munster), J Fitzgerald Capt. (PBC).

Replacements: J Kind (Dolphin) for Madigan, D O’Connell (UCC) for Fitzgerald both 49, S O’Leary (Young Munster) for Kiersey 63, D Hartnett (PBC) for Scott 68, M Abbot (PBC) for Foley, B Nugent (UCC) for Haugh both 71, J McInerney (Garryowen) for Enright 74, C O’Donnell (Cashel) for Horan 76.

ULSTER: R Scholes (Belfast Harlequins); R Adair (Sullivan US), R Martin (Northumbria Uni), C Farrell (Dungannon), D Busby (Portadown College); S Olding (Belfast H), J Creighton Capt. (Malone); J Caulfield (Irish Exiles), J Andrew (Ballymena), C Taylor (Malone); J Donnan (Ballynahinch), M Rea (Ballymena Academy); C Joyce (Malone), S Hooks (RS Armagh), B Alexander (Royal Belfast AI).

Replacements: M Best (Campbell College) for Farrell 33, G Bartley (Ballyclare HS) for Hooks HT, S McNabney (Ballymena Academy) for Taylor 74, N Sinclair (Queen’s University Belfast) for Andrews, J Craig (Ballyclare HS) for Caulfield, M Keane (Royal Belfast Academical Institution) for Creighton, N Martin (Ballymena) for R Martin all 79.

Referee: S Gallagher (IRFU).

Other result: Connacht U20 10 Leinster U20 48.