Munster Junior team start defence of Interpro title with a win over Connacht

MUNSTER'S Junior team got their Interpro campaign off to a winning start after seeing off Connacht on a 24-17 scoreline in Tuam on Saturday last.

The Geoff Kenny coached side were 17 points down playing into a strong first half breeze but came back to earn an impressive victory.

Ronan O'Brien's try got Munster back into the game just before the break and it was one-way traffic for the entirety of the second half.

Shane Airey then cut the gap to nine with a penalty and then Cathal O'Regan crossed for Munster's second try that Airey also converted.

Two further efforts from the kicking tee by Airey kicked Munster into the lead and a late Josef O'Connor kick confirmed the victory late on. 

As well as Airey (Newcastle West), Rob Guerin (Newcastle West), Jordan O'Donnell (Thomond), Ryain Ahern (Thomond), Colin Slater (Thomond), TJ Relihan (Newcastle West) and Stephen Hyland (St Mary's) were the other Limerick representatives in the Munster squad.

Munster play Ulster away in their next game on Saturday. Ulster were heavily beaten by Leinster in their opening game.

Munster: Ben Twomey (Fermoy RFC); Eoin O’Sullivan (Kanturk RFC), Jack O’Connell (Crosshaven RFC), Craig O’Connell (Old Christians RFC), Ronan O’Brien (Kanturk RFC); Shane Airey (Newcastle West RFC), Rob Guerin (Newcastle West RFC); Noel Roche (Waterpark RFC), Cathal O’Regan (Clonakilty RFC), Jordan O’Donnell (Thomond RFC); Olan Deane (Clonakilty RFC), Adam Sheahan (Skibbereen RFC); Colin Deane (Clonakilty RFC), Ryain Ahern (Thomond RFC), Conor Horan (Waterpark RFC).

Replacements: Colin Slater (Thomond RFC), TJ Relihan (Newcastle West RFC), Stephen Hyland (St Mary’s RFC), Ciaran Vaughan (Kanturk RFC), Mark O’Connell (Kinsale RFC), Conor Kavanagh (Fethard & District RFC), Josef O’Connor (Fethard & District RFC), Jesse Smith (Charleville & District RFC).