Scarlets A 8
Leinster A 15
A BRACE OF tries from Ronan Kelleher helped Leinster on their way to securing the inaugural Celtic Cup in what was a tough final against Scarlets.
Leinster have finished their campaign with a clean sweep of victories, but Scarlets pushed them all the way and a late try from Javan Sebastian made for a tense finish in Parc y Scarlets.
The visitors got off the mark after just three minutes through a Ciaran Frawley penalty and Kelleher was in for the first of his two tries shortly after, collecting the ball from Caelan Doris before driving over the try-line on 12 minutes.
Kelleher had his second try five minutes later after profiting from a driving maul to touch the ball down once again.
🏆🙌#CelticCup #FromTheGroundUp pic.twitter.com/feQFycw1eL
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) October 20, 2018
Leinster were 15-3 in front at the half-time break but a yellow card for Bryan Byrne was quickly followed by Sebastian’s try in the 73rd minute to put some pressure on the visiting side in the closing stages.
Scarlets missed the conversion however, and Leinster were able to hold off their opponents for the remaining minutes and clinch the title.
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Kelleher is one to watch for the future. A very impressive young player.
@EK: I agree with you on this one too. Really excited about what Kelleher can bring to the Leinster squad. If he stays fit he could be a great player for us.
@EK: can’t wait to see him lining out for Munster in a year or two
As a Munster fan I must tip my hat off to the Leinster development system from the schools and the “A” team they really have produced amazing players and teams over the last decade it’s a shame Munster can’t seem to do the same with their young players they tend to favour size over talent
@Joe: it’s not that Munster aren’t picking young talent it’s just it’s not there. The Ireland u20s teams for the last few years tells you that
@PScald: Producing means means you put players there. Or did harry potter forget to wave his wand to put them there after a mid-air quidditich concussion?
@Joe: Munster A looked pretty good against a Leinster A team that included Dave Kearney, Adam Byrne, Ross Moloney, Peter Dooley, Noel Reid in Donnybrook a couple of weeks back
The silver ware keeps coming. Congratulations Leinster A.. what happens now? Do the A teams go into to storage till next year? I hope not
@PScald: I think ideally they play AIL and strengthen that
@PScald: No they will play Munster down in thomond on the 29th
@PScald: a lot of the Leinster A team will be playing for the first team during the internationals I would imagine, like the Byrne twins, Tom Daly, Mick Kearney, Ross Molony etc.
Great win with a strong squad. Interesting to see the future of this competition and the benefits for teams. The regions in wales seem to have enjoyed the game time.
Ronan Kelleher has in my opinion the potential to be our best international hooker since Keith Wood.
Brilliant for Leinster – watch out for Penney & Doris in the back row – awesome potential