Railway Cup football final: Leinster’s 26th Railway Cup

Leinster 1-14 Ulster 2-9

They earned their victory by putting in a very impressive first-half performance against the wind and denying an Ulster side which had been fully stretched by Munster in the semi-final on Saturday.

Leinster, champions again last year, were leading by four points with just over three minutes remaining. However, a goal from substitute Thomas Freeman brought Ulster back into contention and they had the chance of drawing level except that Cavan's Peter Reilly (minutes on the field) kicked a scorable free harmlessly wide.

Winning manager Luke Dempsey admitted to being thrilled by the Leinster success.

Starting with six of the All-Ireland-winning Armagh side, including team captain Kieran McGeeney, Ulster made a promising start with early scores Diarmuid Marsden and Adrian Sweeney. However, it was a case of flattering to deceive, since progress after that was minimal in spite of their wind advantage. The fact is that Leinster won an increasing amount of possession with Anthony Rainbow at wing-back and midfielders Ciaran McManus and Ciaran Whelan particularly prominent and looked more threatening in attack.

After conceding a goal in the 15th minute scored by Sweeney when team captain Paul McGrane picked him out with a long hand-pass Leinster quickly recovered to be level within seven minutes. Paul Barden pointed to put them back in the lead and they finished 0-7 to 1-3 in front at the break.

The second half proved to be more competitive, with McGeeney more involved except that the psychological advantage remained with Leinster - even after they fell behind to a Jim McGuinness point in the 38th minute. Earlier, Marsden missed the chance of a goal and McGuinness saw a lot shot come back off an upright.

Leinster weren't behind for too long, with Ray Cosgrove goaling in the 43rd minute after having been set up by the impressive Whelan. And with Leinster 'keeper Enda Murphy making an important save from McGrane a few minutes later, they remained in a comfortable position until Freeman's goal gave the challengers hope of saving the game. However, Reilly's miss was crucial.

*Galway referee Des Joyce was a bit too strict at times, particularly in handing out three yellow cards, but he did a good job.

Scorers: Leinster - R. Cosgrove 1-2 (0-1 free); C. McManus 0-3 (0-2 frees); E. Kelly 0-2; A. Rainbow, D. Dolan, P. Barden, J.P. Rooney (free), K. Slattery, M. Stanfield and C. Whelan 0-1 each.

Ulster: A. Sweeney 1-3; D. Marsen 0-3; T. Freeman 1-0; R. Gallagher, J. McGuinness and M. Walsh 0-1 each.

LEINSTER: E. Murphy (Kildare); B. Lacey (do), P. Christie (Dublin), A. Hoey (Louth); K. Slattery (Offaly), P. Andrews (Dublin), A. Rainbow (Kildare); C. McManus (Offaly), C. Whelan (Dublin); M. Farrelly (Louth), P. Barden (Longford), E. Kelly (Meath); J.P. Rooney (Louth), R. Cosgrove (Dublin), D. Dolan (Westmeath). Subs: T. Gill (Wicklow) for Rooney (second half); M. Stanfield (Louth) for Farrelly (43rd); R. O'Connell (Westmeath) for Barden (53rd); T. Kelly (Laois) for Lacey (56th).

ULSTER: S. McGreevy (Antrim); E. McNulty (Armagh), C. Lawn (Tyrone), C. Gormley (Tyrone); R. McMenamin (Tyrone), K. McGeeney (Armagh), A. McCann (do); P. McGrane (do), J. McGuinness (Donegal); K. Hughes (Tyrone), R. Gallagher (Fermanagh), M. Hegarty (Donegal); A. Sweeney (Donegal), R. Clarke (Armagh), D. Marsden (do). Subs: L. Doyle (Down) for McMenamin (26th minute); T. Freeman (Monaghan) for Sweeney (50th); M. Walsh (Down) for Hegarty (52nd); P. Reilly (Cavan) for Gallagher (56th).

Referee: D. Joyce (Galway).

*President-elect Sean Kelly presented the trophy to Leinster captain Paddy Christie.