Leinster's Over 40's Men spoil Ulster's Clean Sweep
April 28, 2014
Leinster's Over 40s men spoil Ulster's clean sweep at the Masters' Interpros
Leinster's Over 40s men spoilt Ulster's clean sweep at the Master's Interpros which took place in Garryduff, Cork at the weekend. Ulster won 4 of the 5 competitions, with Leinster winning the men's Over 40s section. This Leinster team won three of their four matches, finishing with a 7-1 win over Ulster. Their only loss was to Munster, losing 2-1 on the Saturday afternoon. Dougie Good was the top scorer with 4 goals, with Paul Fitzpatrick (3), David Wilson (2) and Paul O'Brien (1) also getting on the score sheet.
In a weekend of 4 seasons - cold torrential rain and strong winds on Friday evening and Saturday morning to bright sunshine on Sunday afternoon - Ulster won the other 4 competitions. Leinster did not compete in the Men's O45s which was won by Ulster, with Paul Johnston the main source of goals, netting 4. This was the only section in which the ExPats and Connacht men competed, with Connacht finishing 2nd. Munster were 3rd with the ExPats 4th.
In a close competition at Men's O50s, Ulster emerged as winners with 11 points to Leinster's 8 points, with Munster 3rd. It was all square coming into the last game between Ulster and Leinster in which Leinster took a 2 goal lead, with goals from David Adams and Nigel Kingston. Ulster, however, made a strong comeback scoring 3 goals, from Willie Cooper (2) and Malcolm McWhirter, to win the game and the O50s section.
In two closely fought women's competitions Ulster emerged as winners. At O40s level Ulster initially drew with Leinster and narrowly beat Connacht 3-2, scoring the winning goal on the final hooter. Connacht beat Ulster in the return game on the Sunday morning so that the competition decider came down to the final Ulster v Leinster match on the Sunday afternoon which Ulster won 2-0. Ex international Janette Gordon (nee Turner) was instrumental for Ulster, while ex-international goalkeeper, Tara Browne, along with defender Emma Glanville were key players for Connacht. Hazel Agar and Ashling Schutte showed well for Leinster.
At O45s level the competition was similarly close, with Ulster winning this section in the last game with a 4-0 win against Leinster. Earlier they had beaten Leinster 2-0 but had 2 draws against Munster. Leinster also had 2 draws against Munster. Ulster had an impressive forward line of Carolyn Burns, Julie Doak and Claire Bell, while Cathy Walsh and Kathy Shaw impressed for Munster up front. Sinead Guilfoyle in goals and midfielders Linda Jenkinson and Annie Lawlor were the stand out performers for Leinster.
The Masters Interprovincials serve as good preparation for the Masters World Cup taking place in Rotterdam, Holland from 5th to 13th June. Ireland will be sending two women's teams at O40s and O50s level and two men's teams at O40s and O45s level, with possibly also an O50s team.
Our thanks to Helen Johnston for her report from the Masters Interprovincials
