Hughes in plea for Interpros

“Hopefully Christy doesn’t get his way,” was the cry from Ulster captain Darren Hughes after accepting the M Donnelly Interprovincial SF Cup from the GAA president.

The Monaghan man had a quiet word with Cooney after the declaration at the end of his winning speech as if to say he meant no offence with his jibe at the Cork man’s questioning of the series.

But Hughes’ words were greeted with a rapturous response from the Ulster supporters in the 2,860 crowd, who remained on to see him lift the silverware as the northern province retained the title they won in 2009 when they also beat Munster.