The Leinster Senior League showed their superior class to retain the FAI Intermediate Inter League Championship for the Michael Ward Cup with a stunning win over Connacht in the final series of matches.

Leinster went into their third and final match trailing Connacht and Munster after suffering defeat to Munster in their second match on Saturday.

They made light of the challenge for they struck a peak of form when it was most needed to win 6-0. Any hope Munster entertained of winning the title they last held in 2008 was wiped out as Ulster defeated them for their first points in the tournament.

The tournament was held in Donegal and proved a huge success. Manager Martin Loughran presided over Leinster's second consecutive win and he and his squad had reason to feel totally satisfied with their week-end's work.

Leinster out-score Connacht

Leinster Senior League 6 - 0 Connacht Senior League

Leinster faced Connacht at Drumkeen knowing that nothing less than a convincing win would be good enough for them to retain the title.

They hit a high tempo from the start but were defied by a determined Connacht defence and had to wait until just before half-time for the breakthrough goal.

It proved a set-back for Connacht goalkeeper Danny O'Leary as he misjudged a long-range shot from Peter Sherlock and the ball spun into the net.

Fifteen minutes into the second half and leinster stretched their lead. Shane Hughes put James Lee through and he drove the ball past the advancing goalkeeper.

Two minutes later James Lee dived at a cross from the right by Peter Sherlock and his flashing header beat goalkeeper O'Leary to put Leinster firmly in control.

Connacht had no answer to Leinster's dynamic football and scarcely sixth seconds had passed before Daniel Giffney cut in from the left to score with with his third attempt after having two attempts charged down.

Twenty minutes later Alan McGreal scored a spectacular goal. He cut inside and from the right touchline and hammered a shot from 25 yards that flew into the net.

McGreal then rounded it all off after a smart one-two with Mark O'Neill. He took the return pass through the last line of defenders and rounded the goalkeeper before rolling the ball home to complete an outstanding performance by all concerned.

Teams:

Leinster Senior League: Morgan Cranley; Carl Redmond, Ciaran Kenna (Sean Nolan 75), James Lee (Mark O'Neill 73), Peter Sherlock (Gavin Doyle 79), Shane Hughes, Martin Cramer, Ciaran Reilly, Robert Douglas (Alan McGreal 63), Daniel Giffney (Daniel Loughran 79), Ian Cherry. Subs Unused: Paul McCabe, Conor Tiernan.

Connacht Senior League: Danny O'Leary; Joe Lawless (Niall Costello 65), Sean Purcell, Gary Rooney, Jason McCarthy, Colm Jinks, Christopher Kelly, Seamie Crowe, Barry O'Mahony (Gareth Kelly 58), Eric Lavine (Neal McKenna 67), Keith Nibbs (Lee McKilleen 67).

Referee: Eamonn Doherty, Assistants: Daniel Deady, Thomas Long. Fourth Official: Stephen Toner.

Ulster defeat Munster to claim their first points

Ulster Senior League 2 - 1 Munster Senior League

Ten minutes into the game at Bonagee and Ulster showed they were determined not to finish the tournament without some return. After two defeats they raised their game to out-score Munster and open the door for Leinster.

Jonathon Minnock showed he has lost little if any of the skill and invention that made him such a good player in the League of Ireland by scoring in the tenth minute.

Munster hit back quickly and were level within four minutes. Alan King ended a fine run with a firm shot that beat Ulster goalkeeper Garth Wade.

Yet Ulster were full of running and were not checked by this set-back. They restored their lead within another four minutes when Ronan Coyle struck to put Ulster 2-1 in front.

Any hopes Munster had of salvaging the game were not helped when they were reduced to ten men late in the game and the referee showed a red card to a second Munster player at the final whistle.

Teams:

Munster Senior League: Brendan O'Connell; Stephen Montgomery, Alan King, Christopher Butt Darren Riordan 79), John Paul O'Sullivan (Dan Buckley 82), Mark Muprhy, Greg Kelly (Ken Coleman 64, Brian Wilkinson, Graeme McCarthy, Mark O'Sullivan (Kevin Kenneally 79), Dave Kiely (Thomas Daly 51).

Ulster Senior League: Garth Wade; Dermot Kelly, Jonathon Minnock, Sean McColgan (Eloka Esokush76), Neil Harkin, Gerry Gill, Sean McGowan, Stephen O'Donnell (Darren McCready 58), Ronan Coyle, Shaun McElwaine, John Doherty

Referee: Colin Duffy. Assistants: James Dermody, Michael McCay. Fourth Official: Gearoid Mangan.

FINAL TABLE:

 

 

 

 

 

Latest News