Munster secure FAI Schools Interprovincial boys title

Thursday, December 8, 2022

Leinster 1-1 Connacht               Munster 3-0 Ulster

Eoin Kenny (64)           Dara Kavanagh (26)                                            Ronan Mansfield (5),  Josh Fitzpatrick (37), Callum Flynn (63)

FOLLOWING A TEN YEAR ABSENCE, Munster finally got their hands on the Under 18 Boys’ Interprovincial crown following a comprehensive display against Ulster last Sunday afternoon (December 4).

Munster won the title back in 2012 when Derek O’BRIEN (Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore) was at the helm. His winning team included Alan BROWNE (Nagle Community College), Kynan ROCKS (Christian Brothers College, Cork), Dessie HUTCHINSON (De La Salle College, Waterford) and Captain Anthony O’DONNELL (Carrigaline Community School). O’Brien was involved with Munster since 2011 and managed to claim the honours in his second term too.

Billy Woods (Glanmire Community College) took over as Head Coach in 2021  and didn’t have to wait to long to assert his authority on the tournament.

The Munster side only needed a point in the final game of the series as they narrowly defeated Leinster in the opening contest on Friday evening and followed this up with a draw against defending Champions Connacht on Saturday.

Woods should be delighted with the Munster performance given they netted five excellent goals only conceding once, with two clean sheets.

Ronan MANSFIELD (Blackwater CS) opened their account against Ulster on Sunday morning with just five minutes on the clock as he slotted home from close range.

Munster extended their advantage in the second half courtesy of Josh FITZPATRICK (Douglas CS) as he netted five minutes after the restart.

Callum FLYNN (DLS College, Waterford) made it a hat-trick of goals, seven minutes from time. An excellent 3-0 team performance to secure the title. 

The other fixture on Sunday morning saw UEFA Pro Licence graduates Ian RYAN (St. Mac Dara’s CC, Templeogue) and Alan MURPHY (St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway) pipped against each other as 2019 stars Leinster took on reigning Champions Connacht.

Another highly entertaining encounter saw Dara KAVANAGH (Coláiste Bhaile Chláir) give Connacht the edge on 26 minutes.

The Leinster equaliser came six minutes from time as Eoin KENNY (St. Mary’s College, Dundalk) popped up to level proceedings and ensure a valuable point apiece. 

MATCHDAY TWO | SATURDAY

Connacht 1-1 Munster                      Leinster 5-0 Ulster

Mark O’Halloran (63)  Ronan Mansfield (37)                     Stephen Mohan (5, 48), Aidan Russell Vargas (32), Callum Bonner (42, 70),

Scoreless at the break, Ronan MANSFIELD (Blackwater CS) broke the deadlock two minutes into the second period in a well contested outing for both teams.

Mark O’HALLORAN (Clarin College) made it one apiece with seven minutes remaining. Neither side could further their tally and shared the points.

Leinster had a comprehensive victory over the Ulster crew. Oisin McMenamin would be disappointed with their performance given they put in a massive shift against Connacht on the opening night but they lost Aaron McLAUGHLIN ((Mulroy College, Milford) to injury on the opening day to options were limited.

On the other hand, Leinster bounced back from a surprise opening day defeat to Munster. The  scholars went one up inside five minutes as Stephen MOHAN’s deflected effort deceived Thomas BRADY (Largy College, Clones).

Aidan RUSSELL VARGAS (Lusk Community School) doubled their tally just before half-time.

Callum BONNER (St. Patrick’s Classical School, Navan) tapped home following a lovely cross from St. Mary’s College, Dundalk student Shane TRACEY.

The fourth of the evening saw St. Mary’s College, Dundalk grad Callum BONNER supplying Stephen MOHAN (Clonkeen College, Blackrock) for his second.

Leinster went five up as Navan man Callum BONNER netted just before the final whistle for his brace.

MATCHDAY ONE | FRIDAY

Leinster 0-1 Munster                Ulster 2-1 Connacht

Rhys Kelly Noonan (19)                                       Shaunie Bradley (13), Jay Bradley (52), Brian Cunningham (63)

A solitary goal from Rhys KELLY NOONAN was enough to see Munster grab all two points on offer as the 2022 series got underway.

And what a goal to win the game. The Coláiste Muire, Crosshaven pupil netted with a spectacular back flick into the top corner from a AJ BOWMAN (St. Declan’s CC, Kilmacthomas) set piece twenty minutes in.

The other fixture of the night saw a Bradley brace give Ulster their first win following a 2-1 result against the defending Champions Connacht. Another surprise result on the opening night.

Shaunie BRADLEY (Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana) scored after 13 minutes with a slick finish.

However Connacht came agonising close to equalising just before the break as Niall HOLOHAN (Carrick on Shannon CS) hit the woodwork with his attempt. 

With 52 minutes on the clock, Ulster went two up through the Bradley duo. This time Jay drilled home from outside the box.

Brian CUNNINGHAM (Presentation College, Headford) gave his team a life-line as he grabbed one back 11 minutes later to leave an exciting finish to the game.

Ulster were under the cosh for the last ten minutes but Connacht just couldn’t convert the chances they created as Eoghan McFARLAND (Largy College, Clones) kept his defence tight. A nervy finish but newbie Oisin McMENAMIN (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar) enjoyed the narrow victory in his first management stint with the Province.

 DOUBLE CELEBRATIONS

Barry Ryan’s Munster side won the Under 15 Girls’ Interprovincial crown a fortnight ago in the same venue. A wonderful achievement for the province securing the double, the same feat was completed back in 2006. 

Leinster completed the same extraordinary achievement with their Under 15 Girls and Under 18 Boys squads in 2019, 2015, 2014 and 2009. 

INTERNATIONAL PATHWAY

As well as the Interprovincial honours, this tournament is used as the key recruiting process for the underage International squad at schools level. The Schools select compete in the SAFIB Centenary Shield annually. The team have competed since 2003 and the Republic of Ireland have won the competition seven times in 19 years, most recently in 2018.

The International management team consists of John McSHANE (Loreto Secondary School, Bray), Derek O’BRIEN (Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore), Ollie HORGAN (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny) and goalkeeping coach Conor FOLEY (Athlone Community College). They have the enviable task of whittling down a provisional squad to attend trials in Dublin on Saturday, December 17.

The International campaign will commence on Saturday, January 21 when Australia come to town. This will be followed by the start of the SAFIB Centenary Shield with a visit to Scotland on Thursday, February 23. The Irish will play host to the Shield holders Wales on Thursday, March 9 and also a home game against England a fortnight later on Friday, March 24. The conclusion of McShane’s series will see them away to Northern Ireland on Thursday, March 30.

INTERPROVINCIAL PANELS

CONNACHT | Brian CUNNINGHAM (Presentation College, Headford), Niall HOLOHAN (Carrick on Shannon Community School), Milo O’MALLEY (Coláiste Iognaid, Galway), Ben COSTELLO (Calasanctius College, Oranmore), Mark O’HALLORAN, Adam O’HALLORAN (Clarin College, Athenry), James MURPHY (Calasanctius College, Oranmore), Dara KAVANAGH, Kyle FITZGERALD (Coláiste Bhaile Chláir, Co na Gaillimhe), James KELLY, Tommy LILLIS (St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway), James LUKAU (Merlin College, Galway), Junior THIAM (Coláiste Éinde, Salthill), Eli ROONEY, Gavin LYNCH (Summerhill College, Sligo), Conor REYNOLDS (Rice College, Westport)

Management | Alan Murphy (St. Joseph’s College, Galway), Alex Lee (St. Joseph’s College, Galway), Kevin Murphy (Coach), Keith McTigue (Coach)

LEINSTER V CONNACHT

LEINSTER | Dáithí FOLAN (Confey College, Leixlip), Jonathan ADEDEJI (St. Mary’s Secondary School, Edenderry), Jesse DEMPSEY, Shay O’LEARY (Wexford CBS), Dan McHALE (Firhouse Community College), Brandon ROSSITER (Coláiste Bhríde, Carnew), Shane TRACEY, Eoin KENNY (St. Mary’s College, Dundalk), Stephen MOHAN (Clonkeen College, Blackrock), Cian DOYLE (Woodbrook College, Bray), Dylan O’BOYLE, Ryan McBREARTY (St. Mary’s Diocesan School, Dundalk), Tom McLOUGHLIN (Malahide Community School), Callum BONNER (St. Patrick’s Classical School, Navan), Hugh PARKER (Temple Carrig, Greystones), Aidan RUSSELL VARGAS (Lusk Community College)

Management | Ian Ryan, Conor Canavan (St. Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue), Fintan Sheridan (St. Kevin’s Community College, Clondalkin), Ferdia McKeon (Physio)

MUNSTER | Liam MURRAY (Skibbereen Community School), Callum FLYNN, Dara KAVANAGH, Mikey CARROLL (De La Salle College, Waterford), Rhys KELLY NOONAN (Coláiste Muire, Crosshaven), Josh FITZPATRICK (Douglas Community School), Daniel LEONARD, Patryk SWIECZKA-ANDRZEJCZAK (Glanmire Community College), Sam BAILEY (Clonakilty Community College), Matthew KIERNAN, Noah SOWINSKI (St. Francis College, Rochestown), Ronan MANSFIELD (Blackwater Community School),  AJ BOWMAN (St. Declan’s Community College, Kilmacthomas), Eanna FITZGERALD (Coláiste an Chroí Naofa, Carraig na bhFear), Michael DIKE (Thomond Community College), Robbie LYNCH (Hazelwood College, Limerick)

Management | Billy Woods (Glanmire Community College),  Brian Nolan (Mount Sion CBS, Waterford), Kevin Condon (Coláiste Dun Íascaigh, Cahir),  David Browne (Physio)

ULSTER | Dylan McFARLAND, Thomas BRADY (Largy College, Clones), Conor McGINTY (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar), Dylan McATEER, Adam McDAID (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), James McATEER (Loreto Community School, Milford), Conor GRAHAM, Jay BRADLEY, Shaunie BRADLEY, Darragh COYLE (Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana), Kevin MULDOON (Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town), Max JOHNSON (Royal & Prior Comprehensive School, Raphoe), Aaron McLAUGHLIN (Mulroy College, Milford), Dualta HONNEY (Patrician High School, Carrickmacross), Mark McGLYNN (Deele College, Raphoe), Luke ALLISON (Royal School, Cavan)

Management | Oisín McMENAMIN (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar), James RODGERS (Finn Valley College, Stranorlar), Gary McHUGH (Royal School, Cavan).

UNDER 18 BOYS’ INTERPROVINCIAL TOURNAMENT | AUL COMPLEX, CLONSHAUGH

RESULTS

Friday, December 2

Leinster 0-1 Munster

Ulster 2-1 Connacht

Saturday, December 3

Connacht 1-1 Munster

Leinster 5-0 Ulster

Sunday, December 4

Connacht 1-1 Leinster

Munster 3-0 Ulster

2022 League Table

TEAM P W D L F A GD PTS

Munster 3 2 1 0 5 1 4 5

Leinster 3 1 1 1 6 2 4 3

Connacht 3 0 2 1 3 4 -1 2

Ulster 3 1 0 2 2 9 -7 2

Roll of Honour | Boys’ Interprovincial Tournament Winners

YEAR WINNER VENUE

2001 Leinster Ballybofey, Donegal

2002 Leinster Ballybofey, Donegal

2003 Leinster Ballybofey, Donegal

2004 Leinster New Ross, Wexford

2005 Leinster Salthill Devon, Galway

2006 Munster Limerick

2007 Leinster Monaghan/Cavan

2008 Leinster Tullamore 

2009 Leinster Tullamore/Athlone

2010 Leinster Tullamore/Athlone

2011 Leinster Tullamore/Athlone

2012 Munster AUL Complex, Dublin

2013 Connacht AUL Complex, Dublin

2014 Leinster AUL Complex, Dublin

2015 Leinster AUL Complex, Dublin

2016 Ulster AUL Complex, Dublin

2017 Leinster AUL Complex, Dublin

2018 Connacht AUL Complex, Dublin

2019 Leinster AUL Complex, Dublin

2020 N/A COVID-19

 2021 Connacht AUL Complex, Dublin

2022 Munster AUL Complex, Dublin