Munster hopes fade after promising start

A spectacular Ulster comeback from two goals down against Leinster in the final game of the U18 boys interpros saw the northern province make it three titles in a row at Newpark School in Dublin yesterday. Needing just a draw to break Ulster’s stranglehold in recent years, Leinster appeared set to do that and more as goals from Fiachra Maher and David Watkins had them two to the good. But as the hosts retreated in a bid to protect their lead, Ulster hit back in spectacular fashion with three goals in the last 12 minutes. Adam Fallis’ deflection and an Ian Sloan penalty stroke drew them level, before the ball was worked to the back post for Peter Brown to touch in the winner with 30 seconds to go. That came after a tournament which began with promise for Munster U18s quickly turned into a nightmare, as they shipped a number of painful defeats. Friday night’s 1-1 draw with Leinster, in which Munster had led at half time, seemed to point to the possibility they could break the recent Leinster and Ulster stranglehold on the title at this level. Nick Burns fired them ahead with a low drag-flick, but Watkins got to the endline and squeezed the ball past goalkeeper Dylan Murphy for Ross Canning to tap home the equaliser. Murphy went on to make a string of stunning saves to keep the two points intact. But when influential skipper Nick Burns picked up a hamstring injury against Ulster that ended his tournament — while former Ireland U16 midfielder Richard Lynch and Andrew Colton were also playing through the pain barrier — it ultimately derailed their cause. They went on to lose that game 8-1, and worse was to follow as they were routinely punished for some basic errors.They shipped a 7-0 reverse to a Jeremy Duncan-inspired Leinster, before day three brought a 12-0 defeat to Ulster, for whom Ireland U18 skipper Ian Sloan hit a hat-trick. Meanwhile, the Munster U16 side were also taught a couple of harsh lessons by their Leinster and Ulster counterparts, who both record five- and six-goal wins in their four games against the Reds. They also suffered through injury – skipper Richard Sweetnam was another playing at less than 100% – but with the majority of the side experiencing interprovincial hockey for the first time, were unable to keep pace with their opponents. Leinster’s 1-1 draw with Ulster in the final game — allied to a vital 1-0 win over the same opposition on Friday night — meant they wrested the title back from the northern province. Meanwhile, the women’s Munster Senior Cup quarter-finals all produced expected winners, with Cork C of I the most impressive in their 9-0 away demolition of UL. Grace Young, Claire Hickey and Elisa Buckley all hit the target twice for the Rochestown girls. Roisin Upton’s double provided the catalyst for Catholic Institute’s 4-1 win at Bandon, while Cork Harlequins were 3-0 winners at home to Belvedere. Karen Stokes’ double allowed Ashton to stay in touch with UCC, but they eventually lost 4-2 as Ali O’Connor, Ali O’Regan, Olivia Roycroft and Aine Curran all found the target. The sole men’s MSC tie, between Bandon and Catholic Institute, was postponed due to the latter’s inability to field a goalkeeper. Regular netminder Tristan Murphy was unable to travel after hurting an ankle, while deputy Dylan Murphy was at the interpros with Munster.

Elsewhere, the Waterford men’s hockey team played their first game since 2006 on Sunday, defeating a UCC 4ths outfit 4-0 in a friendly at Newtown School in Waterford. Although the Déise county’s men’s team folded due to lack of numbers five seasons ago, it is – thanks largely to the efforts of ex-Limerick man Stuart Greene – now back on its feet. The game also gave UCC an opportunity to blood some of the dozen or so complete beginners they have brought into the game this season, who have been making great strides under the tutelage of coach and Munster Branch vice president Conor O’Kelly. Waterford are nonetheless looking for new squad members to bolster their side in advance of hopefully entering Munster league hockey in 2011. Anyone interested in joining can email stuiegreene(at)gmail.com. U18/U16 Interpros, Newpark School, Dublin U18 Leinster 3 (T Samuel 2, R Canning) Ulster 2 (O Magee, H Cartmill); Munster 1 (N Burns) Leinster 1 (R Canning); Munster 1 (C Casey) Ulster 8 (I Sloan 3, A Fallis, M Bell, O Magee 2, J Moffett); Munster 0 Leinster 7 (D Watkins, D Cole, J Duncan 2, S Madeley, S Nolan); Ulster 12 (O Magee, N Gilmore 2, I Sloan 3, M Allister 2, A Fallis, M Bell, P Brown, J Wright) Munster 0; Ulster 3 (A Fallis, I Sloan, P Brown) Leinster 2 (D Watkins, F Maher); Final standings (goal difference): 1 Ulster 9pts (+19); 2 Leinster 8 pts (+9); 3 Munster 2pts (-26). U16 Leinster 1 (J Ryan) Ulster 0; Leinster 5 (L Madeley 2, J Ryan, L Cole, C Hayes) Munster 0; Munster 1 (S Wolfe) Leinster 7 (D Kane, K Mullins, L Cole 2, D Nolan 2, J Ryan); Ulster 5 (A Allen, J McKee, B Cosgrove 2, C Morrow) Munster 0; Ulster 6 (J Wilson, J Cathcart, M Robson, B Cosgrove, M McCord, J Mellor) Munster 0; Ulster 1 (B Campbell) Leinster 1 (C Morrow); Final standings (goal difference): 1 Leinster 11pts (+12); 2 Ulster 8 pts (+10); 3 Munster 0 pts (-22). Men’s Munster Senior Cup preliminary round Bandon P Catholic Institute P (postponed as Institute unable to field a goalkeeper); Women’s Munster Senior Cup quarter-finals UL 0 Cork C of I 9 (G Young 2, C Hickey 2, E Buckley 2, N Kerr, E Dobson, R O’Hanlon); Cork Harlequins 3 Belvedere 0; Ashton 2 (K Stokes 2) UCC 4 (A O’Connor, A O’Regan, O Roycroft, A Curran); Bandon 1 (S Sullivan) Catholic Institute 4 (R Upton 2, K Cantrell, N Carroll).