Ulster favourites for hockey title

Ulster put themselves in a strong position to win the U16 schoolboys interprovincial hockey title when they won their two matches on the opening day of the championship at Cork Harlequins’ Club in Farmers Cross.

In their opening match two second-half goals from Rory McCann and Jonathan Acheson gave Ulster a 2 - 0 win over the defending champions Munster.

Ulster again impressed when defeating Leinster on a 3 -2 scoreline.

In the U18 championship, a late goal from Michael Dorman salvaged a draw for Ulster against Munster. The defending champions took the lead in the 25th minute when Andrew Coulter scored from a penalty corner.

Munster, however, came back strongly to take a 2 - 1 lead with strikes from Jonathan Bruton (40 mins.) and Stephen Sweetnam (48).

They looked to be holding out for a win until Andrew Coulter’s goal three minutes from time.

Ulster who had to play two matches on the opening day came up against an impressive Leinster side in their second match and went under 3 - 0.