Leinster sides take titles on goal count

MEN'S HOCKEY:LEINSTER COMPLETED an under-16 and under-18 interprovincial double in Booterstown yesterday, both teams beating Munster in their final games to take the titles on goal difference from Ulster.

The under-18s success ended Ulster’s quest for a four-in-a-row at this level in what seemed an unlikely outcome after they had lost 3-2 to the defending champions in Friday’s opening game.

Ulster followed that triumph with a win over Munster and a draw with Leinster, leaving them needing just another draw from their second meeting with Munster yesterday to retain the title.

In a dramatic ending to the game, Ulster, who were a goal down after Andrew Colton scored midway through the second half for Munster, were awarded a penalty stroke in the final minute – but the effort was put wide.

A win against Munster, then, would clinch the title for Leinster, and they did it in some style. Having beaten the same opponents 9-1 on Saturday, it was 9-2 yesterday, Jordan Sutton scoring a hat-trick.

The under-16s, meanwhile, made it a three-in-a-row when they got the required win over Munster in the final game of the tournament, Luke Madeley and Jack Ryan scoring two apiece in their 4-1 victory. They finished level on points with Ulster, who they lost to on Saturday after winning Friday’s encounter, but three goals clear.