Second-half goals see Ulster prevail

Men's Hockey: Ulster emerged as the winners of the Senior Interprovincial Series at Garryduff in Cork over the weekend.

Men's Hockey: Ulster emerged as the winners of the Senior Interprovincial Series at Garryduff in Cork over the weekend.

In the first showpiece before Irish coach Dave Passmore begins the selection process for Ireland's World Cup qualifying event next spring in China, the Ulster side followed on from their draw with Leinster on Saturday to defeat the home team 2-0 yesterday afternoon and clinch the trophy.

It was a match in which Munster had their chances early on, but a resolute Ulster defence fought well to keep a clean sheet in what was a deserved win for the province. There were no goals in the first half but when Mark Robinson touched in an Ulster penalty corner after 51 minutes for the lead, the expected follow up was not a Munster offensive but another Ulster strike that effectively sealed the match.

Just five minutes after Robinson had opened, Eugene McGee added the second goal from play, his shot from the top of the circle ensuring the Ulster success. It was a disappointing end for Munster who, having beaten Leinster in the opening game of the weekend on Friday night, needed only a draw in their final match to secure the trophy.

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The Munster under-21s, however, were able to hold Ulster to 2-2 and take the junior title in a day where both senior and under-21 sides believed they might be able to make it a double.

Although Ulster took a quick-fire 2-0 lead in the under-21 match through Cameron Black and Simon Todd in the fourth and 17th minutes, Munster fought back towards the end of the first half and again in the second period.

Colin Crowley brought the teams into half-time with his side trailing 2-1 after netting in the 29th minute and Conor Harte hit Munster's equaliser in the 50th minute for the title.

Leinster limped in third in the series having gone down 4-2 to the home side on Friday evening. Their subsequent draw with Ulster left them with just a draw from two matches played. Munster earned one win from two games with Ulster going home undefeated with a win and a draw.

Johnny Watterson

Johnny Watterson

Johnny Watterson is a sports writer with The Irish Times