Limerick players impress as Munster juniors draw with Leinster in interprovincial clash

THE Munster junior rugby side, powered by impressive displays from a host of Limerick players, began their Junior Interprovincial campaign with a share of the spoils in a 20-20 draw with Leinster at Kilkenny RFC on Saturday.

A penalty goal from Newcastle West's Shane Airey had Munster 3-0 in front after twelve minutes, before Leinster hit back with a converted try four minutes later to lead 7-3. Tadhg Duff came in off his wing to score for the home side with Craig Miller converting.

Resilient Munster then regained the lead at the end of the opening quarter with a try from prop David Jennings which Airey converted.

Leinster drew level with a long range penalty from Craig Miller two minutes before the interval to tie the scores at half-time, 10-10. 

The home side then took a grip on the game in the third quarter scoring tries on 41 minutes from Garry Dunne and 56 minutes from David O’Reilly for a 20-10 lead.

To their credit, Munster hit back with the ever-dependable Airey keeping Munster in the contest with a penalty on 60 minutes for 20-13.

Then, deep in added time, Munster drew level with a try from Ben Kennedy, with Airey adding the extras to tie the scores

Munster juniors face Ulster in their second interprovincial fixture at Ennis RFC this Saturday, kick off 2.30pm. Ulster opened their campaign with a 47-12 win over Connacht at City of Derry’s ground.

MUNSTER: Jamie McGary (Thomond); Jake Madigan (Charleville & District), Sean Murphy (Newcastle West), Brian Mullins (Richmond) (Capt), Ryan O’Connell (Old Christians); Shane Airey (Newcastle West), Rob Guerin (St Mary’s); TJ Relihan (Newcastle West), Tadgh McCarthy (Sunday’s Well), Davd Jennings (Clonakilty); Jason Woulfe (Newcastle West), Peter Kinane (Thurles); Sam Quinlan (Thurles), Ryain Aherne (Thomond), Sean Glynn (Mallow). Replacements: Darragh Joyce (Richmond), Nigel Clancy (Richmond), James Collins O’Brien (Bandon), Mark O’Connell (Kinsale), Ben Kennedy (Cobh Pirates), Oisin Mangan (Ennis), Rob Cahill (Muskerry), Kian Smith (Charleville & District).