Leinster claim U-16 title

WOMEN’S HOCKEY NEWS: LEINSTER WON their first under-16 interprovincial title since 2005 in Belfast yesterday, Mount Anville’…

WOMEN'S HOCKEY NEWS:LEINSTER WON their first under-16 interprovincial title since 2005 in Belfast yesterday, Mount Anville's Ailbhe Marsh getting the only goal of the game against Ulster – who were going for a four-in-a-row – to seal the title for the Sarah Scott-coached team.

Both Leinster and Ulster had recovered from draws with Munster to register big wins over South East and Connacht, making their meeting yesterday the tournament decider.

The hosts did, though, retain their under-18 title with a 3-0 win over Leinster yesterday, completing a four-in-a-row and, remarkably, enjoying their 11th success at this level in 12 years. Katie Mullan got the opening goal in the game, her eighth in the tournament.

On the club front, UCD moved top of the Leinster First Division with a comprehensive 6-1 defeat of Pembroke Wanderers, with Loreto and Hermes staying in touch by picking up away wins. Áine Connery and Miriam Crowley scored two apiece in Hermes’ 5-0 victory at Glenanne while Niamh Small got the winner for Loreto at Three Rock midway through the second half.

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan is a sports writer with The Irish Times