Leinster U20s 31 Ulster U20s 12 Ulster U20s lost 31-12 away to Leinster in their final inter-pro of the season but there was enough about the performance to suggest that the hard work put in over the summer months has in resulted huge developments for many of the players involved. The game started off at a frenetic pace with the Leinster team willing to attack at every opportunity. The Ulster defence held firm but the team did find it difficult to get their hands on the ball for any considerable period of time. Leinster built considerable pressure and after a five metre lineout, a driven maul was finished off by flanker, Will Connors. Matthew Gilsenan converted to give the home team a 7-0 lead after 28 minutes. Seven minutes later a similar scenario resulted in the Ulster team losing a man to the sin bin and conceding a penalty try, with Gilsenan again on target to try to give his team a 14-0 lead. With the last play of the first half he added a penalty to earn a 17-0 advantage. The first minute of the second half saw Leinster's lead increase to 24-0 when Michael Melia crossed for Gilsenan to convert. Ulster then started to play some better rugby and a series of attacking plays ended with front rower Andrew Shaw scrambling his way through to touch down. Outhalf Matthew McDowell converted to reduce the arrears to 24-7. Both teams were working hard in an attempt to play the game in a positive manner but it was the hosts who scored next as a clever combination of play involving Jimmy O'Brien and Matthew Byrne ended with a Nick Peters try. Gilsenan converted the score to increase the Leinster lead to 31-7. Ulster now started to dominate possession but the Leinster team held the upper hand when it came to territory as the visitors couldn't get out of their half. That was until the final play of the game when replacement winger, Andrew McPhillips, was on the end of a fine move, which involved multiple phases, and ran in for a try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful which ensured it was Leinster that finished the game as deserved 31-12 winners. Leinster U19s 23 Ulster U19s 13 The Ulster U19 team also lost to Leinster at the weekend (23-13) in a match that could have gone either way. The visitors started the game well with strong runs and carries from players such as Zac Jordan, Josh Jordan and Andrew McGreggor causing problems for the Leinster defence. Paul Kerr had an early penalty opportunity but was off. His opposite number James McGowan made no mistake with his attempt moments later to put Leinster into a 3-0 lead. Four minutes later Ulster registered their first points when a clever offload from Philip Matthews sending Josh Jordan in for a try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but the Ulster team had a 3-5 lead. McGowan then kicked a further two penalties before Kerr replied to bring the score to 9-8 in favour of the hosts. Close to the end of the first half the impressive Leinster centre, Jordan Larmour, outwitted the Ulster defence to run in for a try. McGowan converted to give his team a 16-8 interval lead. The opening minutes of the second half saw the Ulster team asking questions of the Leinster defence and a great attack was finished off by Jonny Haldane. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but Ulster continued to press for further scores. Unfortunately it was Larmour who made the next breakthrough, with McGowan converting to seal a hard earned 23-13 victory. Munster U18 Clubs 24 Ulster U18 Clubs 7 At a resplendent Christian Brother's School in Cork, Ulster were overcome 24-7 by a strong Munster outfit. Ulster's Callum O'Hagan forced his way over for an early score in the corner and outhalf Conor Fox added the conversion for a 0-7 lead. As the game progressed the home side began to put their game together and on the 20 minute mark, Jack Nolan, after good work by the forwards, crossed for an unconverted try. As the game moved into ...
School
Age grade match reports
21st September 2015
Leinster U20s 31 Ulster U20s 12 Ulster U20s lost 31-12 away to Leinster in their final inter-pro of the season but there was enough about the performance to suggest that the hard work put in over the summer months has in resulted huge developments for many of the players involved. The game started off at a frenetic pace with the Leinster team willing to attack at every opportunity. The Ulster defence held firm but the team did find it difficult to get their hands on the ball for any considerable period of time. Leinster built considerable pressure and after a five metre lineout, a driven maul was finished off by flanker, Will Connors. Matthew Gilsenan converted to give the home team a 7-0 lead after 28 minutes. Seven minutes later a similar scenario resulted in the Ulster team losing a man to the sin bin and conceding a penalty try, with Gilsenan again on target to try to give his team a 14-0 lead. With the last play of the first half he added a penalty to earn a 17-0 advantage. The first minute of the second half saw Leinster's lead increase to 24-0 when Michael Melia crossed for Gilsenan to convert. Ulster then started to play some better rugby and a series of attacking plays ended with front rower Andrew Shaw scrambling his way through to touch down. Outhalf Matthew McDowell converted to reduce the arrears to 24-7. Both teams were working hard in an attempt to play the game in a positive manner but it was the hosts who scored next as a clever combination of play involving Jimmy O'Brien and Matthew Byrne ended with a Nick Peters try. Gilsenan converted the score to increase the Leinster lead to 31-7. Ulster now started to dominate possession but the Leinster team held the upper hand when it came to territory as the visitors couldn't get out of their half. That was until the final play of the game when replacement winger, Andrew McPhillips, was on the end of a fine move, which involved multiple phases, and ran in for a try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful which ensured it was Leinster that finished the game as deserved 31-12 winners. Leinster U19s 23 Ulster U19s 13 The Ulster U19 team also lost to Leinster at the weekend (23-13) in a match that could have gone either way. The visitors started the game well with strong runs and carries from players such as Zac Jordan, Josh Jordan and Andrew McGreggor causing problems for the Leinster defence. Paul Kerr had an early penalty opportunity but was off. His opposite number James McGowan made no mistake with his attempt moments later to put Leinster into a 3-0 lead. Four minutes later Ulster registered their first points when a clever offload from Philip Matthews sending Josh Jordan in for a try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but the Ulster team had a 3-5 lead. McGowan then kicked a further two penalties before Kerr replied to bring the score to 9-8 in favour of the hosts. Close to the end of the first half the impressive Leinster centre, Jordan Larmour, outwitted the Ulster defence to run in for a try. McGowan converted to give his team a 16-8 interval lead. The opening minutes of the second half saw the Ulster team asking questions of the Leinster defence and a great attack was finished off by Jonny Haldane. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but Ulster continued to press for further scores. Unfortunately it was Larmour who made the next breakthrough, with McGowan converting to seal a hard earned 23-13 victory. Munster U18 Clubs 24 Ulster U18 Clubs 7 At a resplendent Christian Brother's School in Cork, Ulster were overcome 24-7 by a strong Munster outfit. Ulster's Callum O'Hagan forced his way over for an early score in the corner and outhalf Conor Fox added the conversion for a 0-7 lead. As the game progressed the home side began to put their game together and on the 20 minute mark, Jack Nolan, after good work by the forwards, crossed for an unconverted try. As the game moved into ...