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MUNSTER DEVELOPMENT IN RECENT ACTION Reporting by Aron Hegarty and Daire Walsh <strong>Munster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> Development XV edged a gripping contest with Ulster <strong>Rugby</strong> to clinch a 25-24 victory at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Abbotstown on September 18 last. Nine tries were tallied in an end-to-end match that saw <strong>Munster</strong> race into a 15-0 lead inside the opening 20 minutes with a double from PBC full-back Patrick Campbell and one by UCC hooker Scott Buckley. Ulster were twice held up over <strong>Munster</strong>’s line in a matter of minutes after Mark Donnelly of Garryowen FC was yellowcarded. However, <strong>Munster</strong> kept them scoreless and clinical Campbell raced away at the other end for his team’s third try midway through the half. Ulster responded with two scores in five minutes before the break through prop Callum Reid and flanker Reuben Crothers, whose effort was converted by James Humphreys for 12-15. The excellent Campbell got his third shortly after the restart. Ulster’s Ben Carson replied then wing Jamie Shanahan of Garryowen FC crossed before a try from Ulster replacement Scott Wilson set up a tense finish. Ross McKay landed the conversion to make it 24-25. They got the final play up to the <strong>Munster</strong> five-metre line as they rallied in a bid to steal victory from under their noses, but knocked forward in the last act of an enthralling contest. Last Friday, September 24, <strong>Munster</strong> fell to a 14-point defeat at the hands of their Leinster counterparts at the HPC. <strong>Munster</strong> pushed for scores until the very end, with full-back Patrick Campbell and replacement Tony Butler taking the game to their eastern counterparts at every available opportunity, but they couldn’t break down a stubborn Leinster defence. Paddy Patterson’s lung-bursting run on 24 minutes asked questions of Leinster, and although he was close to picking out Seán French off a close-range scrum on 32 minutes, <strong>Munster</strong> faced a 14-point deficit at the interval. Still, the Reds continued to play with great intent and it took diligent defence from Leinster to disrupt their attacking rhythm on the resumption. Ian Costello unloaded his bench as the action progressed and each player introduced was eager to leave their imprint on the game. Aside from Butler, George Coomber, Daniel Okeke and Darragh McSweeney made their considerable presences felt. Huge credit to the defence, who dug deep to prevent Leinster extending their cushion in the closing minutes. David Hawkshaw was inches from crossing the whitewash off a massive break, but the <strong>Munster</strong> rear guard halted him in his tracks and secured a turnover penalty. Patrick Campbell who scored a hat trick against Ulster MUNSTER DEVELOPMENT Patrick Campbell (PBC), Seán French, Jack Crowley, John Forde (all Cork Constitution FC), Darragh French, Scott Buckley, James French, Alex Kendellen, Alessandro Heaney, Edwin Edogbo, George Coomber, Sam O’Sullivan (all UCC), Paddy Patterson, Ronan Loughnane (both UCD), Eoin O’Connor, Adam Maher (both Young <strong>Munster</strong> RFC), Paddy Kelly, Cian Hurley, Jack Daly, Dylan Murphy, Tony Butler, Alex Wood, Jack Delaney, James Kendrick, Jamie Shanahan, Mark Donnelly (all Garryowen FC), Alan Flannery, Aaron Hehir, Darragh McSweeney, Daniel Okeke, Ethan Coughlan, Kieran Ryan, Luke Doyle (all Shannon RFC), Fearghail O’Donoghue (Cashel RFC), Jack O’Sullivan (Cobh Pirates RFC), Sam Tarleton (Rockwell College). MUNSTER V <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS | 02.10.21 | THOMOND PARK 19