Encouraging victory by Munster under-16s

While Ulster reasserted themselves in regaining the Under-18 title by a narrow margin from Leinster, the most encouraging aspect of the interprovincial tournament at Kilkenny College was that Munster retained the Under-16 trophy.

Both championships were tightly contested and there was the irony that brand new nets failed, it seemed, to contain a couple of shots that might have been registered as significant goals.

Although the Ulster seniors were held to a 1-1 draw by Munster yesterday, it was enough to clinch the honours even before their final engagement.

After a scoreless first half, Richard Gash put the finishing touch to a short corner to give Munster the lead; but Philip Stirling steered home the equaliser. Subsequently Mark Ruddle saved a penalty stroke from Ian Huchinson, who was the outstanding Ulster figure in defence, while Chris Barnes led the attack with much menace.

As was the case in their 1-1 draw on Friday, Ulster and Leinster were finely matched on Saturday; but this time Ulster collected full points from their 2-1 win in what was to prove the decisive encounter. Indeed a crucial moment came near the end, when, with Leinster again threatening to equalise, Neil Slane unflinchingly kept out a full velocity shot from Allan Kershaw who had ventured from the back in support of Ian Allen.

Allen had made it 1-1 from Kershaw's pass in the 43rd minute; but immediately Ulster swept to the other circle for Scot Parker to notch his second goal, having given his side the lead at an early stage.

Yesterday, Leinster had to be satisfied with second place, beating Munster 2-1 in the final game with a last minute strike by Allen. The free-ranging Kershaw had swept home the opening goal; but David Eakins kept Munster in contention with a drag flick. The result was also 2-1 when these sides met on Saturday, Alan Giles scoring twice with Gash replying.

Munster's Under-16 success was all the more satisfying in that they were without their leading player David Crowley through injury. But David Hobbs took over the captaincy with relish and with the other members of the back four - Andrew Kingston, John Jermyn, and Colin Tanner - along with Ian Hosford in goal, did particularly well in foiling Leinster in the deciding match (11).

In the earlier games, Rory Heaslip (named as deputy keeper in the squad) had remarkably notched all five of his sides goals from short corners. He didn't score in the decider; but Hobbs picked up a chance following two fine saves by Steven Doran, to shoot an all important equaliser after Derek O'Gorman had fired Leinster into a first half lead.

Although eclipsed, Ulster had a most impressive attacker in leftwinger Ian Hamilton, whose reverse-stick striking will be worthy of a place in the Ireland Under-16 team. Ulster might have remained in the reckoning had they not lost a 2-0 lead on Saturday to Leinster, who hit back with two late goals. Earlier on Saturday, Leinster had also challenged Munster with Graham McCoy striking twice.

Youth Interprovincial Championships (at Kilkenny College): Under-16: Saturday: Munster 3 (R Heaslip 3) Leinster 2 (G McCoy 2); Ulster 2 (I Hamilton 2) Leinster 2 (D O'Gorman pen str, J Blakeney); Yesterday: Munster 1 (R Heaslip) Ulster 1 (I Hamilton); Munster 1 (D Hobbs) Leinster 1(D O'Gorman). Final placings: 1, Munster (6-5) 9 pts; 2, Leinster (6-6) 6 pts; 3, Ulster (4-5) 6 pts. Under-18: Saturday Leinster 2 (A Giles 2) Munster 1 (R Gash); Ulster 2 (S Parker 2) Leinster 1 (I Allen); Yesterday: Ulster 1 (P Stirling) Munster 1 (R Gash); Leinster 2(A Kershaw, I Allen) Munster 1 (D Eakins). Final placings: 1, Ulster (8-4) 10 pts; 2, Leinster (6-5) 8 pts; 3, Munster (4-9) 2 pts.