Lansdowne 44
Young Munster 18
Tries in either half from Matt Healy proved decisive at Lansdowne Road yesterday.
Lansdowne had the better of the opening, as tries inside five minutes from Healy and Jason Kelly gave them an early cushion of 12 points. Young Munster opened their account with a well-worked try from Darragh O’Neill, but Lansdowne registered their third try 17 minutes in courtesy of John Cooney. Lansdowne increased their advantage to 14 with a drop-goal from Craig Ronaldson, but Munster got back into it when Ger Flaherty finished off a rolling maul.
Staunton was off target with his conversion and a Ronaldson penalty gave Lansdowne a 25-13 lead at half-time. Munsters started the second half well but Healy mustered up a breakaway try to dash their hopes, although the visitors did give themselves a lifeline when replacement Ger Burke drove over for their second try.
Lansdowne added two more converted tries courtesy of Ronaldson and Cian Aherne.
Scorers — Lansdowne: C Ronaldson 4 cons, 1 try, 1 pen, 1 d/goal, M Healy 2 tries, J Kelly, J Cooney, C Aherne try each Young Munster: D O’Neill, G Flaherty, G Burke try each, W Staunton pen.