Ulster Under 18 Schools fell to their first defeat of the season following a nail-biting PwC Interprovincial derby in Virgin Media Park against Munster.
It was a heartbreaking defeat for Daryl Maxwell’s side as Leo Carman’s try in the final play of the game handed Munster a 32-26 win.
Ulster are still in the hunt for Championship glory, and thy must dust themselves down and prepare for the visit of Leinster to Banbridge on Wednesday afternoon. Kick-off 1pm.
Matthew McCarthy opened the scoring for Munster with a penalty just inside the Ulster half after great work at the breakdown from Robert Carrigan before Carmen claimed the games first try in the 10th minute.
McCarthy was again good from the tee to put Munster 10-0 to the good.
Ulster responded well with a maul of their own five minutes later with Dylan Armstrong crossing the whitewash to reduce the deficit to five.
It didn’t take long for Munster to reply as pull away again as a line break from Jack Hayes was duly finished by Harry Quinlan.
Munster were full value for their lead as they set about avenging a 32-26 defeat in Belfast three weeks ago.
But Ulster fought back with Zac Topping going over for a try Jack Best was accurate from the tee.
Munster chipped away at the Ulster defence for a lengthy period to end the first half but were unable to beat the determined defence. Munster almost got over with the final play of the half, but the Ulster defence stood firm and the referee called for half-time with just three-points separating the teams.
Half-time: Munster 15-12 Ulster
Munster early second half dominance was rewarded with a Robert Carrigan try.
But Ulster rallied and two converted tries in quick succession from Adam crone and Dylan Gray handed Ulster the incitive going down the home straight as they led 26-20.
But inspired by a larger vocal home support, Munster came roaring back with Alexander Bramoulle going over in the corner.
An intense final few minutes was set up with just a point separating the sides before Carman was over for his second try of the afternoon with the clock in the red, securing a dramatic win for Munster.
Full-time: Munster 32-26 Ulster
Scorers:
Munster:
Tries: Leo Carman (2), Harry Quinlan, Robert Carrigan, Alexander Bramoulle;
Cons: Mathew McCarthy (2);
Pen: Mathew McCarthy
Ulster:
Tries: Dylan Armstrong, Zac Topping, Adam Crone, Dylan Gray;
Cons: Jack Best (3)
MUNSTER U-18 SCHOOLS: Hugh Downey (CBC Cork); Alexander Bramoulle (Bandon Grammar School), Mathew McCarthy (PBC Cork), Jack Hayes (Cistercian College Roscrea), Adam Bennett (Crescent College Comprehensive); Harry Quinlan (CBC Cork), Tiernan Murphy (CBC Cork); William Powell (Cistercian College Roscrea), Leo Carman (Ardscoil Rís Limerick), Kyle Yoxall (St. Munchin's College), Mark Whelton (Bandon Grammar School), Andrew O'Connor (Castletroy College), Seán Ryan (Crescent College Comprehensive), Robert Carrigan (Rockwell College) (capt), Ronan Dillon (PBC Cork).
Replacements: Bobby Meagher (St. Munchin's College), Oisín Gleeson (Crescent College Comprehensive), David Fitzpatrick (Crescent College Comprehensive), Jay Walsh (Crescent College Comprehensive), Dylan L'Estrange (Bandon Grammar School), Gearóid Hickey (Crescent College Comprehensive), Jos Keating (Bandon Grammar School), Ronan O'Brien (St. Munchin's College).
ULSTER U-18 SCHOOLS: Dylan Gray (Royal Belfast Academical Institution); Zac Topping (Ballymena Academy), Will Rogers (Wallace High School), Jonnie Kennedy (Larne Grammar School) (capt), Zach Thompson (Campbell College Belfast); Jack Best (Campbell College Belfast), Rocco Steen (Royal Belfast Academical Institution); Adam Crone (Wallace High School), Dylan Armstrong (Campbell College Belfast), Reuben Gibson (Royal Belfast Academical Institution), Will Downey (Royal Belfast Academical Institution), Oscar Eddis (Ballymena Academy), Elliot Magowan (Royal Belfast Academical Institution), James Flanagan (Royal School Armagh), James Reid (Methodist College Belfast).
Replacements: Issac Crawford (Omagh Academy), Matthew Watkins (Royal Belfast Academical Institution), Conor McKinney (Campbell College Belfast), Elijah Fitzpatrick (Ballymena Academy), Ben Ellis (Wallace High School), Scott Hendeerson (Sullivan Upper School), Jack Robinson (Royal Belfast Academical Institution), Zach Thompson (Campbell College Belfast).