McKean drives Leinster to title

Women's Hockey Interprovincials: Leinster won the senior interprovincial title with some comfort in Belfast yesterday when they completed their programme with an unblemished record. But it took a late goal from the prolific Cathy McKean to earn a 1-0 victory over Ulster in the concluding game of the tournament.

The Loreto striker led from the front and finished the weekend with seven goals, an achievement which will not have gone unnoticed by national coach Riet Kuper, who was at the Queen's University Playing Fields.

McKean, the Leinster captain, narrowly missed out on a place in the Ireland squad for the Olympic qualifying tournament in Auckland in March, but she might yet force her way into contention for a berth in the panel for the Celtic Cup, which is being staged at Belfield next month.

Leinster coach Fred McDarby paid tribute to his squad and is in no doubt McKean merits a place in the national side. "I think she should be playing for Ireland but you'd have to ask Riet about that," he said (unfortunately after the Dutchwoman had begun her journey home). "We had pace up front which is important, but I don't think the players realised just how difficult it is to win a tournament like this in the North."

McDarby's opposite number, Graham Quincey, whose Ulster team needed victory to regain the title yesterday, accepted the better team had won on the day.

"I said that to Fred afterwards. Our strategy was to attempt to contain the Leinster forwards and try to score from a penalty corner which could have won us the game. We did the first for the most part but not the second."

Leinster goalkeeper Mary Goode denied Susie Martin from a set-piece in the 21st minute. Leinster looked more likely to score and only a last-ditch interception by Pamela Magill prevented Sinead Dooley from pouncing seven minutes later.

A rare mistake by the Pegasus defender then presented Trish Conway with a chance in the 46th minute, but her reverse-stick shot went agonisingly past the upright. Anya Bowers forced Jenny Gibson into a decent save.

Bowers set up Zanya Dahl but again Gibson was equal to the task. But it was the Old Alexandra player who was ultimately to play a significant role in the only goal of the game in the 60th minute.

Bowers' initial shot was saved, but she gathered the rebound and returned the ball across the face of goal for McKean to score.

Connacht finished in third place behind Ulster after coming from a goal down to record a 2-1 win over deposed holders Munster, who had earlier lost to both Leinster and Ulster. Sarah Clarke and Emily MacNicholas (penalty-stroke) scored near the end after Nikki Lyons' opener.