20-year-old McIlroy one of the big winners of the inter-pro series
The Ulster wing has shown his promise in three starts over recent weekends. By Murray Kinsella Tuesday 12 Jan 2021, 9:58 AM Jan 12th 2021, 9:58 AM 9,759 Views 10 Comments
Ethan McIlroy started and finished all three of Ulster s inter-pros.
Image: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO
Image: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO
THE FESTIVE INTER-pros are often a launchpad for young Irish players and the 2020/21 series has allowed us to see a little more of the emerging talent in the provinces.
20-year-old Ulster wing Ethan McIlroy is one of the big winners from recent weeks, having put together three impressive 80-minute outings for Dan McFarland’s side as they beat Connacht and Munster before a frustrating loss to Leinster last weekend.
Mid-term report card: How are the Irish provinces faring so far this season
Simon Lewis grades the four provinces at the halfway point of this season’s Guinness PRO14
Star men: Connacht s Jack Carty, Leinster s Rhys Ruddock, Munster s Peter O Mahony, and Ulster s Billy Burns.
Mon, 11 Jan, 2021 - 07:00
Simon Lewis
CONNACHT
Jack Carty has regained the confidence and form he lost after the World Cup and has re-emerged as a genuine contender for an Ireland recall. Picture: INPHO/Dan Sheridan PRO14 status: 2nd Conference B P 9 W 5 L 4 BP 6 Pts 26
Had a chance to put real pressure on conference leaders Munster but slipped to another home defeat and now have an 11-point deficit to make up if they are to make a first final appearance since their triumphant charge to the PRO12 title in 2016.
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Connacht blew a great chance of what would have been a sensational smash and grab win over Munster on Saturday night in the Sportsground, when passing up a great opportunity when awarded a 5 metre scrum with the last play of the game and with Munster having two players in the sin bin. Up to the 77th minute, Connacht were trailing 16-3 and struggling to break down a stubborn Munster rearguard, but finally a yellow card was produced for the visitors which ultimately led to Peter Sullivan scoring his first try for the province. A brilliant Jack Carty touchline conversion secured the losing bonus point, but Connacht still had time for one more attack, and in all probability should have snatched the most unlikely of victories with the numerical advantage of 15 v 13 on the field for the last play. After the game Galway Bay FM commentator Rob Murphy got the views of Connacht Coach Andy Friend and captain Quinn Roux…
Waterford, Ireland / WLR
Jan 9, 2021 10:32 PM
Thirteen-man Munster survived a frantic finish in the Guinness PRO14 top-of-the-table clash to emerge as breathless 16-10 winners over Connacht at the Sportsground.
A last-gasp match-winning try eluded the home side, who came right back into contention late on through Peter Sullivan’s 78th-minute try and sin-bins for Munster replacement backs Rory Scannell and Nick McCarthy.
Munster had scored 10 points during Shane Delahunt’s sin-bin period, including an 18th-minute try from Chris Farrell, to lead by seven at half-time. Jack Carty replied with a late penalty for Connacht.
Munster’s control of the breakdown was decisive – where player-of-the-match Tadhg Beirne starred – and two second-half penalties from JJ Hanrahan, who finished with 11 points, had them marked out as comfortable winners until the late scare.