Munster sides show masters mettle

Munster were rewarded in their second game when they beat Ulster O45s 2-1. It was Ulster who opened the scoring with a well taken goal by Dee Wallace cutting in from the right. Cathy Walsh equalised for Munster on the stoke of half time. Munster secured the win in the second half from a short corner break down when Kathy Shaw crossed for Jacqui Freyne to deflect in. The first match of Sunday morning was a goalfest with Munster running out 4-3 winners over Ulster. Munster went 3-0 up with speedy right winger Jacqui Freyne scoring the first goal from a deflection. Maura Haran scored the second from an open play shot with centre forward Cathy Walsh getting the third, scoring a beautiful goal off her reverse. Ulster got one back before half time from a good passing move from the back – defender Julie Wilson to midfielder Claire Bell through to Julie Fisher and finished off by ex-international Maggie Hunter.

Ulster made a number of personnel changes at half time and Anne Snoddy scored their second off a penalty corner straight strike. But Munster restored a two-goal gap with a Cathy Walsh deflection on a ball across the circle. Ulster continued to fight back and got their third when a Snoddy flick was saved but Bell capitalised on the rebound. Ulster sought the equaliser but Munster held on to win. In the final match in the ladies O45s Munster needed to beat Leinster by more than three goals to win. Leinster controlled the game in the first half although Munster were dangerous on the counter attack with goalkeeper Sinead Guilfoyle called into action on a number of occasions. The home province went ahead when captain Jane Salter went one on one with the Munster keeper, lifting it over her into the goal. In the second half, Munster took the game to Leinster in a combative battle, with the influential Joan Dobson returning to the fray following an earlier injury. She scored Munster’s equaliser at the back post from a long corner move. Continued pressure from Dobson and Dymphna Hill in midfield along with the penetrating runs of winger Freyne led to a number of short corners. Dobson deflected one of these into goal from a Walsh strike to put Munster ahead. They got their third goal when Dobson’s shot was parried by Leinster’s goalkeeper but the ball squeezed through into the goal despite the best efforts of Leinster’s defenders. Leinster were able to contain Munster in the remaining few minutes to take the title by a goal difference of two despite losing this match. Munster’s strong showing throughout the tournament gave them second place with Ulster third.

On foot of this week-end’s Interpros players will be selected to Irish Masters teams in the various age groups to participate in the Home Nations tournaments in June. The ladies Home Nations is being hosted by Ireland in Pembroke, Railway and UCD and the men’s tournament is taking place in Wakefield, England ** Words from ladies tournament with thanks to Helen Johnston. A huge thanks to her for providing updates throughout the weekend, and to Mark Stockil, Dawn Grace and Conor O’Kelly for their help too. Masters Interpros, Grange Road, Dublin Ladies O40s: Leinster 3 Ulster 1; Leinster 2 Connacht 1; Ulster 3 Connacht 0; Ulster 1 Leinster 1; Connacht 0 Ulster 2; Connacht 0 Leinster 0. Ladies O45s: Leinster 3 Ulster 0; Leinster 2 Munster 0; Ulster 1 Munster 2; Ulster 2 Leinster 3; Munster 4 Ulster 3; Leinster 1 Munster 3. Men’s O40s: Leinster 3 Ulster 1; Munster 2 Ulster 0; Leinster 5 Munster 1; Ulster 2 Munster 0; Munster 2 Leinster 2; Ulster 0 Leinster 2 Men’s O45s: Connacht 0 Munster 1; Ulster 4 Expats 1; Munster 3 Ulster 5; Connacht 0 Expats 1; Munster 3 Expats 0; Connacht 1 Ulster 3 Men’s O50s: Leinster 0 Ulster 4; Munster/Exiles 0 Leinster 1; Ulster 4 Munster/Exiles 2 Men’s O55s: Leinster 2 Ulster 3; Ulster 1 Munster/Exiles 3; Munster/Exiles 1 Leinster 2 Final Placings Ladies O40s: 1 Leinster 2 Ulster 3 Connacht Ladies O45s: 1 Leinster 2 Munster 3 Ulster Men’s O40s: 1 Leinster, 2 Munster 3 Ulster Men’s O45s: 1 Ulster 2 Munster 3 ExPats 4 Connacht Men’s O50s: 1 Ulster 2 Leinster 3 Munster/Exiles Men’s O55s: 1 Munster/Exiles 2 Leinster 3 Ulster