FOUR PENALTIES, two in each halt, from their out-half and captain Derek Darcy, gave Leinster a 12-6 win in this Interprovincial, played in Kinsale on Saturday. Leinster deserved their victory although Munster will rue the missed opportunities, particularly in the first half when Frank O'Shea and Gerry Casey combined to miss six penalties.

In a scrappy first halt, Dundalk pair Ciaran O'Molloy and Ultan Herr did best for a Leinster pack, who found the bigger Munster side difficult to handle. Darcy kicked two penalties while Munster full-back Frank O'Shea added one to leave his side trailing 6-3 at half-time.

When Gerry Casey levelled the match with a 56th minute drop-goal, Leinster looked in trouble but their response was immediate with Ross Murphy winning crucial line-out ball. They dominated the closing stages, should have scored a try from a five-metre scrum, having to rely instead on Darcy's accurate boot to secure victory.