Leinster were crowned 2023 Junior Men’s Interprovincial Champions on Saturday afternoon.
Enda Finn’s side were 45-21 winners against Munster in Waterford City RFC, ensuring the team won all three matches in this year’s competition.
Leinster took the lead inside the opening ten minutes, after a brilliant backline move. Athy’s Ciaran Fennessy was on the end of a pass from Mikey Russell, to give the visitors an early lead.
Munster would take the lead midway through the half. A quick tap penalty from Conor Kavanagh caught the visitors unawares, and he broke through to score, with Josef O’Connor converting to give the home side a 7-5 lead.
Leinster responded to retake the lead almost immediately. Robbie Vallejo touched down in the left corner, as the backline took advantage of a clearance kick from Munster.
Craig Miller scored a penalty just before the break, as Leinster went in with a six-point lead at the break.
Graham Reynolds extended the lead with the first score of the second half after three minutes. The Balbriggan hooker scored from close range, after Craig Miller broke through the Munster defence.
Ten minutes later, Fennessy scored his second try of the game, in the left corner, as Leinster tried to pull clear of the home side.
Ruadhán McDonnell got on the scoresheet, as the Leinster maul proved too strong, Mikey Russell’s second try put the result without doubt. The Clondalkin centre was on the end of a move that saw Leinster break clear from their own 22.
Jake McDonald and Mikey Russell were able to break through the Munster defence as the game opened up, with the duo exchanging passes, before McDonald touched down.
Robbie Vallejo put the icing on the cake with a try five minutes from the end, as Leinster ended the Junior Interprovincials in fine style.
Munster: 15. Ronan O’Brien (Kanturk RFC), 14. Jesse Smith (Charleville & District RFC), 13. Willie Walsh (Waterpark RFC), 12. Craig O’Connell (Old Christians RFC), 11. Eoin O’Sullivan (Kanturk RFC), 10. Josef O’Connor (Fethard & District RFC), 9. Conor Kavanagh (Fethard & District RFC); 1. Noel Roche (Waterpark RFC) (CAPTAIN), 2. Colin Slater (Thomond RFC), 3. Jordan O’Donnell (Thomond RFC), 4. Olan Deane (Clonakilty RFC), 5. Ruarí O’Donnell (St. Mary’s RFC), 6. Mark O’Connell (Kinsale RFC), 7. Ryain Ahern (Thomond RFC), 8. Conor Horan (Waterpark RFC).
Leinster: 15. Eoin Duffy (Boyne RFC), 14. Ciaran Fennessy (Athy RFC), 13. Mikey Russell (Clondalkin RFC), 12. Mark Kehoe (Gorey RFC), 11. Robbie Vallejo (Boyne RFC), 10. Craig Miller (Athy RFC) (CAPTAIN), 9. Tristan Brady (Monkstown FC); 1. Michael Tracey (Roscrea RFC), 2. Graham Reynolds (Balbriggan RFC), 3. Robert Farrell (Dundalk RFC), 4. Wes Carter (Kilkenny RFC), 5. Wes Shirley (Co. Carlow FC), 6. Ruadhán McDonnell (Monkstown FC), 7. Zach Jungmann (Seapoint RFC), 8. John Dever (Monkstown FC).
Replacements: 16. Sean Arrowsmith (Dundalk RFC), 17. Rob Scully (Cill Dara RFC, 18. Hugh Carolan (Boyne RFC), 19. Benny McManus (Longford RFC), 20. Gary Dunne (Kilkenny RFC), 21. Paulie Tolofua (DLSP FC), 22. Jake McDonald (Kilkenny RFC), 23. Garrett Fitzgerald (Tullow RFC).
Scorers: Munster – Tries: Conor Kavanagh, Adam Sheehan, Dave Shannon (one try each); Josef O’Connor (two conversions) Leinster – Ciaran Fennessy, Robbie Vallejo (two tries each), Graham Reynolds, Ruadhán McDonnell, Mikey Russell, Jake McDonald (one try each); Craig Millar (one penalty and one conversion)
