Connacht ladies sparkle as Munster men stay on course

MUNSTER revived their hopes of retaining the men’s hockey Interprovincial Championship by beating Ulster at Harlequins Park yesterday but it was Connacht ladies who commanded the spotlight.

Connacht surprised Ulster as they shared four goals in a game of high excitement. Their achievement, coupled with a draw also in the match between Munster and Leinster, ensured a highly competitive finish to the ladies competition.

Munster’s win over Ulster in the men’s championship was founded upon good technique and smooth teamwork. They capitalised upon their confident opening salvo with a goal after 20 minutes.

The talented John Jermyn created it with a run through the heart of Ulster’s defence and a shot that was turned away with difficulty by goalkeeper Johnny Moore. Nigel Buttimer hammered home the rebound.

Buttimer’s close support of his centre-forward reflected the economy of movement and smooth transition in a high-quality opening-half performance that ensured Munster were in the dominant position.

They needed the insulation provided by their goal to protect them as Ulster, predictably, raised their game in the second-half.

Ulster were twice foiled in rapid succession, as the excellent Wesley Bateman saved powerful scoring attempts by the hard-working Mark Raphael following two short corners.

And Munster rebounded from deep defence to carry the game to Ulster again in the closing quarters when Jermyn was unlucky to see a shot from a penalty corner come back into play off an upright.

Munster owed much to the control of John Hobbs in defence and the initiative shown in midfield by Buttimer, Jason Black and David Eakins.

Now they will be hoping that Leinster and Ulster draw their contest today to set up a championship decider against Leinster tomorrow.

Connacht ladies delighted their enthusiastic supporters when they came from behind twice to draw with Ulster.

They took inspiration from the outstanding performance of Clodagh Grealy in defence and with goalkeeper Tara Brown also in sparkling form they shared in an exciting contest with a well-balanced Ulster.

Ulster were in front after just seven minutes through Heather Mullan but Orla Ryan equalised within three minutes.

Again the teams swapped goals in quick succession after Suzanne Beaney put Ulster in front in the 28th minute for Louise O’Hagan scored following a short corner.

Karen Bateman led by example as she scored twice against Leinster.

Bateman led the Munster line with skill and energy and was close to snatching a win with a brilliant reverse stick effort in the second half that forced goalkeeper Nikki King to an outstanding save.

All four goals came in the opening half hour.

Ladies: Connacht 2 (O Ryan, L O’Hagan), Ulster 2 (H Mullan, S Beaney).

Munster 2 (K Bateman 2), Leinster 2 (N Symmons, C McKeon).

Men: Leinster 4 (G Ringwood 2, S Kershaw, R Gormley) Shamrocks 1 (C Judd).

Munster 1 (N Buttimer), Ulster 0.

Todays programme: Ladies - Munster v Ulster 10 am. Connacht v Leinster 2 pm. Men - Munster v Shamrocks 12 noon; Leinster v Ulster 4 pm.