Leinster Under 17 - 17 Munster Under 17 - 7: Munster were chasing a Grand Slam having previously beaten Ulster and Connacht at this level but could not subdue an obdurate Leinster on the main pitch at Donnybrook. The visitors will be disappointed that they failed to build upon a decent first-half performance.

Leinster were heading for half-time leading 10-0 by virtue of a try from fullback David Mongan, converted by outhalf Neil Cowhey, who also added a penalty. However a minute shy of the interval Munster looked to have struck a pivotal blow when their excellent centre Scott Deasy scored a fine try.

The Pres Cork player chose a gorgeous line on a cut-back after the Munster pack had pummelled Leinster back to within metres of their own line. When Deasy tagged on the conversion himself to make it 10-7 and with the benefit of a strong wind to come in the second half it looked like Munster had put themselves in the box seat.

However as in the other game it was the Leinster pack led by Jason Harris Wright, Tyrone McKillen and half-time replacement Brian Cawley that really took the game to their opponents. Munster will also reflect upon indiscipline that allowed Leinster to relieve the pressure of being penned inside their own half with a succession of penalties.

Leinster looked to control the football while their opponents adopted a more expansive approach but could not breach the Leinster cover.

Instead it was the home side that showed character and application to dog it out and were rewarded in the final throes of the match with a try from their lively centre Eoin O'Malley, which Cowey converted.

LEINSTER U-18: David Mongan (Belvedere); G Boland (Roscrea), E O'Malley (Belvedere), C Cleary (St Michael's), C Morley (Terenure); N Cowhey (St Mary's), R O'Neill (Terenure); P McCabe (Belvedere), C Egan (Roscrea), J Molloy (Templeogue), P Ryan (Blackrock, capt), D Byrne (Blackrock); J Harris-Wright (Pres Bray), R Reilly (St Michael's), T McKillen (St Michael 's). Replacements: B Cawley (Blackrock) for Byrne; C McGinn (Belvedere) for Ryan (both h-t).

MUNSTER U-18: S Scanlon (Crescent); R O'Mahony (Castletroy), S Deasy (PBC), E Broderick (St Munchin's), S Costigan (PBC); R Mullane (St Munchin's), D Upton (Crescent); D Kilcoyne (Ard Scoil Ris), M Sherry (Ard Scoil Rís), S Archer (CBC); K Hanley (Crescent), I Nagle (Glenstal); I Duffy (Rockwell), N Barry (PBC), K Essex (CBC, capt). Replacements: S O'Dwyer (Rockwell) for Duffy 51 mins; M Kenefick (PBC) for Hanley 51 mins; J Noonan (CBC) for Barry 55 mins; C Nolan (CBC) for Upton 55 mins.

Referee: C Stanley (IRFU).