Leinster opened their defence of the Under-21 Interprovincial hockey title with a commanding performance in Lisburn last night as they swept to a 6-1 win over Munster.

The Munster squad had flown from Cork to Belfast yesterday morning but Leinster showed few ill-effects of their bus journey as they raced into a 4-1 interval lead.

Colm Brady plundered the opener after only five minutes after Cliff Bailey had created the opportunity. Munster responded six minutes later when Trevor Martin connected with a delivery from Dave Eakins.

However, Stephen Butler, from a penalty corner, Brady and Graham Shaw, with a fine individual effort, virtually settled the contest by halftime.

In the second half, Justin Sheriff, who had been lively throughout the contest, added goal number five after being set up by Bailey in the 41st minute. Before the end, Sheriff got his second, and Leinster's sixth, from a well struck penalty corner. Earlier, Ulster beat the Universities 2-1 with goals by Gary McKee and Kevin Lunn, to which Andy Slane replied.