Interprovincials review:Leinster will meet Connacht in the M Donnelly Interprovincial hurling final after both won their semi-finals against Munster and Ulster respectively this afternoon.
At Nowlan Park, Leinster won by four points, having cruised into a halftime lead of nine thanks to goals from Michael Fennelly, Joe Bergin and Richie Power.
Munster fought back after the break, with a goal from John Conlon, but Fennelly and Power kept Leinster noses in front.
Iarlaith Tannion’s goal in the first half saw Connacht lead by three at the interval but, despite going down to 14 men after Neil McManus saw his second yellow, Ulster made a game of it after the break.
After they managed to draw level, however, Davy Glennon’s strike pushed Connacht back into the lead and another goal from Eanna Ryan sealed the win.
The beaten provinces in the hurling will, however, meet in the football final after the roles were reversed.
At Parnell Park, Leinster were beaten by three points by Munster, who were helped into a seven-point lead thanks to Gary Hurney’s early goal.
Their advantage was six at the break and though that was closed to two at one stage - with the help of Dublin’s Bernard Brogan and Stephen Cluxton and, in particular Paddy Keenan - Clare’s David Tubridy helped him to himself to six points to keep Munster in front.
At Markievicz Park, Ulster strolled past Connacht, who were 11 points down by half-time after goals from Peter Harte and Mark Poland.
After the break, Martin Penrose took his tally to 1-04 with a goal and Connacht were left to reflect on a 14-point defeat.
M Donnelly Interprovincial Hurling semi-finals
Leinster 3-14 Munster 1-16
Connacht 3-19 Ulster 1-15
M Donnelly Interprovincial Football semi-finals
Leinster 1-13 Munster 1-16
Connacht 0-13 Ulster 3-16