Trailing 14-5 seven minutes into the second half, Young Munster had to mount a splendid rally to take both points at the expense of a surprisingly-efficient Clontarf side in their All-Ireland League encounter at Tom Clifford Park on Saturday. This was a game which Young Munster confidently expected to win and perhaps there was an element of over-confidence about their first-half performance which could have proved costly.
Clontarf, who had already accounted for Limerick opposition by beating Old Crescent in their previous AIB league outing, got off to a fine start with a couple of penalties by out-half Ritchie Murphy. Peter Boland worked a delightful scissors movement with his out-half, Aidan O'Halloran, to go over for a try and put his side back in the game. But a third Murphy penalty just before the break saw Clontarf move 9-5 in front.
Young Munster's loyal supporters were given something further to worry about when Clontarf winger, Nicky Barry, availed of an appalling defensive error to score an unconverted try on 47 minutes and it was only then that Young Munster finally came to life.
Stephen Tuohy, the former Old Crescent player who came into the game as a replacement for Noel O'Meara in the centre, kicked a penalty and then added the points to a try by centre Mike Lynch, which owed much to a penetrating run by full back Boland.
Young Munster were now a point ahead and kept up the momentum. Aidan O'Halloran had a try, which Tuohy converted, and then O'Halloran dropped a goal to make it safe at 25-14.
However, it said much for Clontarf's spirit that Paul Noble was able to snatch a try in the first minute of injury time.
Young Munster: P Boland; D Walsh , N O'Meara, M Lynch, N McNamara; A O'Halloran, D Tobin; N Hartigan, M Hayes, P Clohessy, M O'Halloran, D O'Meara, A O'Herlihy, D Edwards, G Earls. Replacements: S Tuohy for N O'Meara, half-time; M Prendergast for Tobin, 68 mins; J O'Connell for M O'Halloran, 80 mins; B Buckley for Herlihy, 66 mins.
Clontarf: M Woods; N Barry, P Noble, G Ahern, M Fitzsimons; R Murphy, S McCarthy; T Hannigan, B Jackman, I Cummins, M Meredith, M Coughlan, A Dignam, I Stewart, C Brownlee.
Referee: B Smith, Munster.
Leinster Youths (under-18) produced another sparkling performance, running in five tries in their emphatic 33-10 win over Connacht at the Sportsground in Saturday. Following their five-try victory over Ulster a fortnight ago, this latest success leaves Leinster needing a draw next Saturday against Munster if they are to retain the title. On the evidence of this display, Munster will do well to leave Merrion Road next Saturday with a share of the points.
