U20s: Munster 15 - 20 Ulster

Ulster Under 20s got their Inter-provincial Championship of to a great start with a hard fought but deserved 20-15 victory in Cork on Friday evening.

The opening quarter saw Ulster make too many unforced errors which allowed Munster to dominate territory and their centre JJ Hanrahan landed 2 penalties to give Munster a 6-0 lead after 25 minutes.

With their scrum and lineout beginning to dominate, Ulster then came back into the game and should have scored after 30 minutes when wing forward Dominic Gallagher made a great break off centre Luke Marshall’s clever pass to run straight through the Munster defence only to lose the ball forward in a tackle just before the try line. Ulster continued to press and took the lead after 36 minutes following a sustained period of pressure close to the Munster line. Following a number of drives by the forwards, the Munster defence was drawn in and Ulster quickly spread the ball wide for Stephen Irvine to go over unopposed in the left hand corner. Paddy Jackson converted to put Ulster in front by 7-6.

However, from the kick-off, Ulster transgressed and allowed Hanrahan to kick his third penalty to restore the Munster lead. From the restart, Ulster again laid seige to the Munster line and when Munster second row Tom Goggin was penalised and yellow carded, Ulster elected for the scrum. Munster could not cope with the power of the Ulster scrum and a penalty try was conceded on the stroke of half-time. Jackson converted to send Ulster in 14-9 ahead at the break.

As with the first half, careless play by Ulster at the start of the second half allowed Hanrahan to kick two more penalties to put Munster ahead again 15-14 after 50 minutes. However, with the Ulster scrum and lineout now totally dominant, it was Ulster's turn to put Munster under pressure.

Ulster should have retaken the lead after 55 minutes when good interplay between forwards and backs took play into the Munster 22. Quick ball allowed Jackson to breakthrough but the out-half lost the ball in a tackle as he went over
the line. Ulster continued to pressurise Munster and were rewarded with two Paddy Jackson penalties in the 60^th and 65^th minute following good work by the pack.

 Ulstercontinued to pressurise Munster but could not add to the scoreline. With 5 minutes remaining, Munster got possession in the Ulster 22 and with Ulster down to 14 men following Ian Henderson’s yellow card, could have stolen victory. However, the Ulster defence held firm and Ulster ran out deserved winners by 20-15.

Next up for Ulster is a home match against Leinster U20s this Friday at Ravenhill, kick off 5pm. Tickets are available to purchase on the gate

 Ulster U20s: Charlie Simpson, Chris Colvin, Stewart McIlwaine, Luke Marshall (Capt.), Michael McAuley, Paddy Jackson, Conor Spence, Andy Warwick, Jonny Murphy, Kyle McCall, David Whann, Ian Henderson , Stephen Irvine Dominic Gallagher, David McGuigan.

Replacements: Darryl Maxwell, Conor Carey, Adam Best, Paddy Marks, Calum Threlfor, Blane McIlroy, Adam Bratton