FIELDING two internationals, Lee Tumilty and Mark Irwin and an assortment of other young players attached to senior clubs, the University of Ulster carried off the Mauritius Cup at Dardistown yesterday. In the final, they beat Queen's, 2-0, through a first half goal from Irwin and a last minute score by Philip Morrow, with Gareth Kidd and Clarke Kennedy ensuring that there was no reply from their fellow Ulstermen.
Queen's had needed extra time, and a shoot out to edge out the holders, UCC, in the semi final stage. Killian Deasy (UCC) and Joe Aiken (Queen's) found openings in the early exchanges but the efforts, notably, of the Cork captain Paul Lombard did not yield a sufficient impact to change the scoreline from 1-1. Then, the Queen's goalkeeper Neil McAlpine performed a leading role in his side winning 4-3 on strokes.
In the second semi final, Owen Butler and Spanish youth international Xavier Von Torrent were prominent in UCD's resistance before the University of Ulster ran out 3-1 winners. Greg Lavery slotted the amalgamated side into the lead but Steven Jones hit an encouraging equaliser before the interval. Irwin and Gavin Weir, however, broke through decisively in the second half.
The most bracing spectacle on the general front tomorrow is bound to be in Cork where, in the Munster Senior League, Harlequins will attempt to curb freescoring C of 1. No doubt either of the Bateman brothers, Ivan or Wesley, can blunt the visitors' attack to a considerable degree but C of I will still expect to win with something to spare, so as to feel fortified for next week's Irish Senior Cup tie against Avoca.
In Leinster, the game of most interest sees Railway Union tackling Three Rock Rovers at Grange, Road in a bid to put the champions lead in jeopardy. Railway kept Three Rock out of the Stephen Doyle Trophy final but Rovers will now be stronger. The most Stuart O'Higgins and Paul O'Brien might achieve is a draw.
Avoca, Pembroke Wanderers and Glenanne, meanwhile, can maintain their pursuit of Three Rock in overpowering Portrane, Corinthians and Monkstown, respectively.
In the solitary all Ireland replay, YMCA will feel confident enough with the return of Stuart Taylor and Quentin Heaney to end Down's interest at Bnllinteer, where Newry would be the next visitors.
