Munster U18 Schools – 24 Ulster U18 Schools – 19
A try from Munster Schools’ winger Greg O’Shea four minutes from the end of normal time snatched victory for the hosts in the final Inter Provincial match of the series.
Ulster dominated the opening exchanges of this match with early runs by Ross Adair and Neil Burns taking play close to the Munster line. However a counter attack from the second of these after 11 minutes saw winger Greg O’Shea make a 60 metre run before he found support from his number eight Jack Dinneen who crossed for the opening try which out half Gearoid Lyons converted.
CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF THE ULSTER SHOOLS U19 XV v U18 XV (thanks to Thomas Anderson)
Ulster responded within seven minutes when an initial run on the left by full back Ross Adair was superbly supported on the inside by right wing David Busby who then found left wing Neil Burns who crossed for an unconverted try.
Neil Burns was again to the fore only minutes after scoring when he intercepted an almost certain scoring pass which allowed Ulster to clear their lines. However Munster extended their lead one minutes before half time with a penalty through out half Gearoid Lyons when Ulster infringed around the side of a ruck.
Ulster took the lead for the first time in the match after seven minutes of the second period when a initial line break by Daniel Dass created the momentum before the ball was moved left where number eight Ben Alexander crossed for a try having been helped drive over the line by his colleagues. Justin Rea added the conversion with an excellent conversion from the touch line.
Ulster extended their lead minutes later when a run down the left saw centre John McClure out flank the defence to score Ulster’s third try. Justin Rea proceeded to prove that he was in good kicking form with his second conversion from wide before he was one of several replacements made. At this point Ulster led 19 – 10 and had the oppportunity to extend that lead 5 minutes later but the 35 meter goal attempt drifted past the left hand upright
Munster reduced the deficit after 23 minutes when they put their strong running centre David Johnson clear near the half way line and he sprinted in for a try with Gearoid Lyons again adding the points.
A yellow card reduced Ulster to 14 players before that heart breaking try by Greg O’Shea who had broken down the left and although he was tackled short of the line he had sufficient momentum to rollover for the deciding score which Gearoid Lyons converted.
This was a very disappointing end to the Inter Provincial series for the Ulster players in the match which they played with commitment throughout with a number of excellent individual performances.
Thanks are expressed to all the parents and friends who traveled to Limerick to support the team in this match and also to all those who have provided support to the players through the programme, most of them accumulating many miles as they traversed the province for both training and matches.
The players now return to play for their individual school teams, hopefully enhanced by the experience of training and playing with a group of elite players.
Ulster Schools Team
15. Ross Adair (Sullivan Upper)
14. David Busby (Portadown College)
13. John McClure (RBAI)
12. Mark Best (Campbell College)
11. Neil Burns (Foyle & Londonderry College)
10. Justin Rea (Down HS)
9. Peter Weir (Wallace HS)
1. Jonathon Craig (Ballyclare HS)
2. Adam Kerr (Ballymena Academy)
3. Sebastian McBrien (Campbell College)
4. Jonathan Darling (Ballyclare HS)
5. Jack Cooke (Captain, Campbell College)
6. David Marshall (Wellington College)
7. Daniel Dass (BRA)
8. Ben Alexander (RBAI)
Replacements:
16. Max Montgomery (Bangor GS) (for Adam Kerr, 60 mins)
17. Michael Hoey (RS Armagh) (for Jonathon Craig, half time)
18. Mark Gilkinson (Wallace HS) (for Sebastian McBrien, 63 mins)
19. Cal McIlwaine (Wallace HS) (for Jack Cooke, 54 mins)
20. Conor Wright (RS Armagh) (for Peter Weir, 45 mins)
21. Alistair Wright (RS Armagh) (for Justin Rea, 45 mins)
22. Rob Haldane (Campbell College) (for Mark Best, 45 mins)
