A contribution of 10 points by full back Fergal O'Gara helped Munster to secure victory over Connacht in an exciting under 21 inter-provincial at the Galway Sportsground on Saturday. Munster led 20-8, at the interval, following tries from Mossie Lawlor and Brian Cahill as well as two penalties and two conversions from O'Gara.
Connacht scores came from a Brian Dillon try and an Alan King penalty. Munster secured victory with a try each by Colin Murphy and Niall McNamara.
Connacht had a consolation try five minutes into injury time by David Mescal.
Connacht: G Brady (Ballina); B Dillon (Buccaneers), M O'Mahony (NUIG), M O'Boyle (NUIG), J Cleary (Corinthians); A King (Dublin Univ), D Mescal (Galwegians, capt); K Flanagan (Corinthians), K Rush (Ballina), D Lillis (Corinthians), A Maher (Dublin Univ), M Sheehan (Ballina), J P Walsh (Ballina), D Browne (Galwegians), J O'Connor (Corinthians). Replacements: K Ward (Connemara) for Lillis inj 62 mins; P Callanan (UCD) for Sheehan 67 mins; N O'Brien (UCD) for Cleary inj 80 mins.
Munster: F O'Gara (UCC); D Holt (UCC), D Heaton (Garyowen), M Lawlor (S. Hannon), M Knowles (DOlphin), N McNamara (Shannon), C Murphy (Cork Con), S Kilroy (Sunday's Well), M Nathan (UCC), F Roche (St Mary's College), P O'Connell (Young Munster), F McKenna (UCC), B Cahill (UCC, capt), D O'Callaghan (Cork Con), D McDonagh (Young Munster). Replacements: T Daly (UCC for Holt) 61 mins; E Reddan (Old Crescent) for Murphy 61 mins; D Duggan (Shannon) for Cahill 72 mins; G McNamara (Shannon) for Kilroy 79 mins; A Hartigan (UL-Bohs) for O'Connell inj 80 mins. Referee: G Doyle (USRFR).
