Limerick student scoops Player of the Match as Munster U18s make winning start in interprovincials

THE 2025 FAI Schools U18 Boys’ Interprovincial Tournament kicked off with a victory for Munster in FAI HQ, Abbotstown on Friday evening.

Munster opened their campaign with an exciting 3-1 victory over defending champions Connacht.

The winner of the Player of the Match accolade from the FAI Schools Under 18 Boys’ Interprovincial fixture was Cillian Murphy, of John the Baptist CS Hosptial, in Hospital who produced an impressive display to claim the honours.

Murphy is joined in the Munster Uder 18 Boys squad by fellow Limerick student Charlie Campbell of St Munchin's College.

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2022 and 2023 title holders Munster opened the scored after 13 minutes of their opening tie against Connacht when Rory McKeon (St. Anne’s CC, Killaloe) got them off the mark when he managed to score from the ground as the ball ricocheted off the post and in.

Connacht were unlucky not to equalise soon after as Jack Sweeney’s pacy attack looked promising however his strike bounced off a defender and onto the crossbar!

Donnacha Dungivan (St. Colman’s College, Fermoy) then doubled the Munster lead on 21 minutes with a smashing finish for 2-0. Munster led 2-0 at half-time.

The Munster squad competing at the FAI Schools Under 18 Boys’ Interprovincial series in Dublin this weekend

The game was put to bed when Munster went 3-0, three minutes into the restart, with a stunning goal from Jack Garrett (The Abbey School, Tipperary Town).

Connacht did manage to pull a goal back against 10-man Munster when starlet Lúc Grillais (Coláiste an Eachréídh, Athenry) netted to make it 1-3.

Despite Connacht’s best efforts, Munster’s sharp attacking style worked and they saw out a hard fought victory.

In the day's other game, Leinster defeated Ulster 3-1.

MUNSTER | Igor BACELA (Waterpark College, Waterford), Gavin MITCHELL, Bobby KEOHAN, Mason MURPHY (St. Paul’s Community College, Waterford), Rory FITZGERALD (Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig), Noah O’BRIEN (De La Salle College, Waterford), Scott HYDE, Luke HURLEY (Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG, Cork) Rory McKEON (St. Anne’s Community College, Killaloe), Dylan O’CONNELL (Patrician Academy, Mallow), Charlie CAMPBELL (St. Munchin’s College, Corbally), Cillian MURPHY (John the Baptist Community School Hospital, Limerick), Jack GARRETT, Ike MANJOR (The Abbey School, Tipperary Town), Robert KEANE (CBS The Green, Tralee), Donnacha DUNGIVAN, Shane HALLIHAN (St. Colman’s College, Fermoy)

Management | Kevin CONDON (Coláiste Dun Íascaigh, Cahir), John KAVANAGH (Presentation Brothers College, Cork), Rob OSBOURNE (Glanmire Community College), Cai BENTON (Physio)