Clarke ensures Ulster complete their comeback

Ulster 3-12 Leinster 0-17:Ulster retained their interprovincial title in an entertaining clash in front of a sparse attendance of 2,500 at Croke Park yesterday.

“If this is only going to be a players’ competition and the general public are not that keen on it then so be it,” said Leinster boss Pat Gilroy. “Just talking to the players, their enthusiasm for it is serious.”

Leinster got the start they wanted and were 0-7 to 0-1 ahead after 18 minutes, with Bernard Brogan running Ciarán McKeever ragged.

Brogan and Joe Sheridan threatened to pull Ulster asunder in the first 20 minutes, scoring 0-5 from play between them.

Brogan’s top-scored with 0-11 yesterday, nine from frees, and only for two brilliant saves by Tyrone goalkeeper Pascal McConnell he would also have ended up with a goal or two.

Ulster got back into the game through a penalty from Jamie Clarke in the 20th minute, after Kevin Niblock had been fouled but they were fortunate to only trail by 0-9 to 1-4 at half-time.

A brilliant strike from Conor McManus, after a pass from Clarke, put Ulster ahead five minutes into the second half and Clarke struck his second goal after 53 minutes to put Ulster five points clear.

Leinster went 39 minutes without scoring from play and, though Brogan’s frees kept them in touch, points from McHugh, Clarke and Seán Cavanagh sealed Ulster’s victory.

ULSTER: P McConnell; C McKaigue, C McKeever, E McGee; A Kernan (0-1, free), D Hughes, P Harte (0-1); S Cavanagh (0-3, frees), D Givney (0-1); M McHugh (0-1), M Penrose (0-1, free), Joe McMahon; J Clarke (2-1, one pen), K Niblock, C McManus (1-2). Subs: M Murphy (0-1) for Niblock (25 mins), Justin McMahon for McKeever (h-t), G McKiernan for Givney (h-t), M Poland for Penrose (59), K Hughes for McHugh (65).

LEINSTER: S Cluxton (0-1, 45); K Lillis, G Molloy, B Malone; M Quinn, G Brennan, A Flynn; MD MacAuley, J Heslin (0-1); B Connor, B Murphy, C O’Sullivan; B Brogan (0-11, nine frees), J Sheridan (0-3), R Barry. Subs: P Keenan for Connor (h-t), R O’Carroll for Lillis (41 mins), K McManamon (0-1) for Barry (44), S McCormack for Sheridan (54), J Stafford for Murphy (61). Referee: Paddy Neilan (Roscommon).