Munster A lose out despite comeback
Rugby
LEINSTER ‘A’…………………………………………….. 22
MUNSTER ‘A’……………………………………………. 17
Daire Walsh
MUNSTER ‘A’ produced a strong second-half showing at Donnybrook last night, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a reversal at the hands of Leinster ‘A’ in their opening game of the inter-provincial Series.
The Blues weathered an early Munster storm, and managed to break the deadlock after 14 minutes, when scrum-half Nick McCarthy embarked on a run towards the right-flank, which enabled full-back Billy Dardis to touch down with ease.
Munster – who included former Leinster academy stars Matt D’Arcy and Jordan Coghlan in their starting line-up – finally opened their account on 24 minutes, when fly-half Rory Scannell converted a 30-metre penalty.
However, Leinster centre Tom Daly (captain of the Ireland Sevens squad) cancelled out this score with a successful place-kick three minutes later, and then the pacey McGrath cut inside from the left-flank for the home team’s second try of the opening half.
Daly was on hand to supply the bonuses to this score, and Munster were facing into a 12-point deficit (15-3) when the action resumed.
However, it was Leinster who drew first blood after the restart, with a powerful drive over the whitewash by lock Tom Denton.
Another two-point salvo by Daly enhanced the Blues’ advantage, but the introduction of fresh legs from the replacements bench did provided a much-needed spark to the Munster side in the third-quarter.
During a lengthy spell inside the Leinster ’22’, dynamic No 8 Shane Buckley finally squeezed through the Leinster rearguard for a hard-earned 58th minute five-pointer, converted by Scannell.
Both teams continued to utilise their reserve options as the half progressed, and Alex Wooton was certainly making a big impact in the Munster back-three.
Former Cork hurling star Darren Sweetnam produced an excellent try-saving tackle as McGrath attempted to cross over 15 minutes from time, and when he intercepted Adam Byrne’s wayward pass, winger Stephen Fitzgerald cut the gap to five with a breakaway converted try.
The momentum was now with Munster as the final whistle beckoned, but even though they threatened to swing the pendulum in their favour, Leinster ‘A’ ultimately secured a slender triumph.
Scorers for Leinster ‘A’: B Dardis, M McGrath, T Denton try each, T Daly pen, 2 cons.
Scorers for Munster ‘A’: S Buckley, S Fitzgerald try each, R Scannell pen, 2 cons.
LEINSTER ‘A’: B Dardis; A Byrne, C O’Shea, T Daly, M McGrath; S Crosbie, N McCarthy; J Loughman, B Byrne, R Burke-Flynn; T Denton, T Beirne; J Murphy, D Aspil, T Ryan.
Replacements: S McNulty, I Hirst, O Heffernan, G Thornbury, D O’Connor, M Deegan, C Rock, R Byrne, D Fanning, T Farrell.
MUNSTER ‘A’: S McMahon; S Fitzgerald, N Hodson, M D’Arcy, D Sweetnam; R Scannell, R Foley; L O’Connor, N Scannell, J Ryan; B Hayes, F Bradshaw Ryan; B Kilkenny, J Coghlan, S Buckley.
Replacements: K O’Byrne, B Quinlan, JP Phelan, R Burke, S O’Leary, K Browne, C Oliver, J Poland, T Quinlan, A Wootton.
Referee: F Murphy (IRFU).