Connacht 18
Leinster 7

Connacht won the Interprovincial Youths Championship for a second year running with an 18-7 win over Leinster in Mullingar on Saturday.

CHAMPIONS . . . The Connacht youths squad who retained their inter-provincial crown when they defeated Leinster in the final at Mullingar on Saturday. Back row, left to right: John Carey, Matthew Dempsey, Shane Casey, Aaron Spring, Karl Egan, James Robinson, Eoin Mc Keown, Shane O Meara, Shane Connolly, Chris Egan, Connor Murphy, Paul Conway, David Henshaw, Richard Henry, Joe Kenny, Brendan Carpenter. Front row, from left: Adam Kennedy, Eoin Griffin, Colin Conroy, Finn Gormley, Lorcan Walsh, Trevor Thompson, Rory Kerins, Mark Dolan (capt), Kevin Russell, Callium Southgate, Shane Connelly.

In a repeat of last year's final Connacht put on an heroic display, leading from start to finish against a very talented Leinster side, who were out for revenge for the previous year's defeat. Buccaneers outhalf Adam Kennedy was in superb form on the day, kicking three penalties and clearing Connacht's lines throughout the match, typifying the commitment of his side throughout a difficult contest.

Kennedy's seventh minute penalty opened the scoring and right wing Kevin Russell was quick to add to it three minutes later with a fine try.

Another penalty from Kennedy followed before left wing Finn Gormley matched his right wing colleague's earlier effort, by scoring a try of his own on 32 minutes, to put Connacht into a 16-0 half time lead.

Just like in the semi final against Ulster at the Sportsground, Leinster came out for the second half with renewed vigour and after Kennedy put Connacht ahead with another penalty on 48 minutes, the Blues responded with a try from number eight Aidan Mulligan.

Niall Earls converted for Leinster to reduce the deficit to twelve but some superb defending from Connacht in the final minutes ensured that they retained their title and remained undefeated in the competition for the second year running.

Connacht:
Tries: Russell, Gormley
Pens: Kennedy (3)

Leinster:
Try: Mulligan
Con: Earls

Connacht: Brendan Carpenter (Westport RFC), Kevin Russell (Corinthians RFC), Colin Conroy (Galwegians RFC), Eoin Griffin (Corinthians RFC), Finn Gormley (Corinthians RFC); Adam Kennedy (Buccaneers RFC), Mark Dolan (Buccaneers RFC); Trevor Thompson (Buccaneers RFC), Karl Egan (Corinthians RFC), James Robinson (Corinthians RFC); Shane Casey (Castlebar RFC), Eoin McKeown (Galwegians RFC); Shane Connolly (Galwegians RFC), Rory Kerins (Sligo RFC), Joe Kenny (Buccaneers RFC)
Replacements: David Henshaw (Buccaneers RFC), John James Carey (Ballinasloe RFC), Lorcan Walsh (Buccaneers RFC), Aaron Spring (Sligo RFC), Shane O'Meara (Galwegians RFC), Matthew Dempsey (Westport RFC), Conor Murphy (Corinthians RFC)

Leinster: Robbie Kennedy (Longford RFC), Eamon Daly (Barnhall RFC), Kailyn Domican (Naas RFC), Andrew Boyle (St Bridgets RFC), Ben Doyle (Wicklow RFC), Niall Earls (Wicklow RFC), Gavin Kennedy (Ashbourne RFC); Daniel O'Byrne (Naas RFC), Padraic Beatty (Barnhall RFC), Sean Preston (Guinness RFC); Daniel Johnston (Greystones RFC), Darragh Kiely (Naas RFC); Derek Farrell (Longford RFC),John McSherry (Wicklow RFC), Aidan Mulligan (Bective RFC)

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