Leinster Under-18 18 Munster Under-18 6:The Munster under-18s repeated the mistake of their under-19 colleagues by making a fast start before fading to a disappointing defeat against Leinster in the schools interprovincial championship at Donnybrook yesterday.
It all looked so positive for Munster as centre Michael Kelleher struck two penalties in the fourth and 20th minutes to sandwich a try from Leinster number eight Dan Kane courtesy of a driving maul.
Noel Reid of St Michael's posted a 26th-minute penalty to ease the home side back in front as the hard running of centre David McSherry and fullback Darren Hudson made an impact through the centre.
Leinster were driven on by a heavier set of forwards and the bone-rattling hits of their hooker Robin O'Sullivan.
Reid's second penalty took Leinster five points clear before a sharp finish from their replacement wing Ben Woods in the right corner clinched the win, Reid adding the extra two points with the last act of the match.
LEINSTER U18 SCHOOLS: D Hudson (St Mary's); N Myron (Belvedere), R Williamson (Terenure), D McSherry (Templeogue), R Crotty (St Mary's); N Reid (St Michael's), J Cooney (Gonzaga); J O'Connell (Clongowes), R O'Sullivan (Pres Bray), M Moore (Castleknock); M Cawley (Blackrock), B Marshall (St Andrew's); D Ryan (Gonzaga), R Bent (St Mary's), D Kane (Gonzaga). Replacement: B Woods (Belvedere) for Myron (66 mins).
MUNSTER U18 SCHOOLS: G Nugent (PBC Cork); S Zebo (PBC Cork), D McCarthy (Castletroy), M Kelleher, C O'Hanlon; R Guerin (all St Munchin's), D O'Driscoll (PBC Cork); B Cagney (PBC Cork), G Horan (Crescent), B Cullinan (Rockwell); B Hayes (CBC Cork), D O'Callaghan (Midleton); P Butler (Rockwell), J McCarthy (PBC Cork), G Burke (St Munchin's). Replacements: D Loftus (CBC Cork) for O'Hanlon, B Downey (Crescent) for Cullinan (both 60 mins).
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