Ulster leave it late

A last-minute goal, squeezed home by Daniel Clarke, gave Ulster a deserved 2-1 victory over the defending champions Leinster as the Interprovincial series got underway at Harlequin Park, Cork, last night. Making the crisper start, Leinster had taken the lead after 15 minutes. Paudie Carley swooped when Ulster - pressurised by Gordon Elliott - lost possession and Anton Scott drew the cover for Paul Armitage to fire home an admirable goal.

Then, at the start of the second half, after Colin Stewart had lobbed the ball inches wide for Leinster, a short corner yielded an Ulster equaliser from Julian Stevenson.

Intense Ulster pressure then yielded the winner when from another set-piece strike by Neil Cooke, the chance fell for Clarke to wrap up the points.

Earlier, Munster - tuning up for their title challenge - eased to a 4-2 win over the Shamrocks. Alastair Dunne scored from two drag flicks in the first half, during which Glen Bailey saved a penalty stroke from Jason Black.

Trevor Dunne and Andy Cooke increased the margin to 4-0 early in the second period before the Shamrocks - fielding only six members of the Ireland under-21 squad - rallied for Stephen Butler and Simon Kershaw to reply from short corners.

Now it remains to be seen how Munster can cope with a very determined Ulster side in what looks like being the decisive game of the championship this afternoon. Last night, once Ulster settled, they moved the ball swiftly with Lee Tumilty looking particularly menacing.

Indeed were it not for two fine saves by the Leinster captain Nigel Henderson, from Tumilty, Ulster might well have sealed their victory instead of leaving it to their last attack of the match. Even then, when Leinster forced a short corner on the final hooter, there was a chance that victory might have been snatched from their grasp. However, that final set-piece came to nothing for Leinster.