Leinster win boys triple header in Interpro series

Leinster’s male teams did a triple at Grange Road over Munster in the latest round of interprovincial fixtures in this year’s new-format.

At Under-16 level, Leinster held on for a 3-2 win having earlier led 3-0. Oscar Pasley nudged in from close range after Liam Richardson’s initial shot was half-stopped.

Harry St Leger slapped in from the second phase of a corner and the third came when Peter Montgomery’s upright reverse was turned in by Zach Silverman.

Munster fought back in the closing stages with captain Rob Olden and Sean Curtin firing home corners in the last 11 minutes and put the pressure on but could not find an equaliser.

At Under-18 level, Leinster were 4-1 winners. Sam Maxwell slid home on the backhand from Mark Smyth’s baseline run and pull-back; Smyth produced a brilliant finish for the second and Conor Walsh made it 3-0 with a touch to Andrew Crowe’s shot at goal having been fed by Rex Dunlop.

Ed Collins for Leinster and Harry Jackson for Munster traded further goals as Leinster won well.

The Under-21 tie, meanwhile, was settled in dramatic style by Isaac Johnson who got a crucial touch from Harry Lynch’s corner sweep in the closing seconds.

It earned a 2-1 win for the blues after they had trailed. Jack O’Meara’s corner in the first half put the southern province ahead and they held that advantage until the last 15 minutes. Lynch was the catalyst for the comeback, dragging in the leveller before assisting the winner.

Ulster and Munster’s next Under-21 fixture was initially due to played next Sunday but will be played alongside the Under-18 and 16 games between the provinces on February 27.

Men’s Interprovincial Championship
Under-16: Leinster 3 (O Pasley, H St Leger, Z Silverman) Munster 2 (R Olden, S Curtin)
Under-18: Leinster 4 (S Maxwell, E Collins, M Smyth, C Walsh) Munster 1 (H Jackson)
Under-21: Leinster 2 (H Lynch, I Johnson) Munster 1 (J O’Meara)

Sunday, February 6 fixture
Under-21: Ulster v Munster, Grange Road, 3pm