Ulster maintain their dominance

HOCKEY: ULSTER’S DOMINATION of the under-16 and under-18 interprovincial tournaments shows no signs of abating, the province…

HOCKEY:ULSTER'S DOMINATION of the under-16 and under-18 interprovincial tournaments shows no signs of abating, the province sealing a three-in-a-row at both age levels by beating Leinster in yesterday's decisive matches at Alexandra College.

And for the second year running both Ulster teams conceded just one goal on their way to their four victories, the under-18s proving prolific, racking up 8-0 and 7-1 wins over South East and Connacht respectively.

Leinster, too, had taken maximum points going in to the under-18 decider, Aisling Naughton scoring four in three games, but a double from Katie Mullan, who got a hat-trick earlier in the day against Connacht, helped the holders to a 3-0 win.

Similarly, Leinster took a perfect record into their under-16 game against Ulster, but goals from Bethany Barr and Emma Kernaghan clinched the title once again for the northern province.

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In the Leinster League, Hermes twice had to come from behind against Glenanne to maintain their winning start to the season, two Laura Pinder goals, when they trailed 2-1, clinching the points. And after losing their opening two games Bray got off the mark against Corinthian, Linda O’Neill and Jessica Carey giving them a 2-1 win.

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan is a sports writer with The Irish Times