Considering the number of defections from the squad, Leinster did extremely well to beat Ulster 2-1 in the opening match in defence of their interprovincial crown at Garyduff, Cork, last night. Leinster, fielding new caps in Stephen Butler and Alan Bothwell at the back as well as Australian Paul Armitage in midfield, were pressed back at the start by an Ulster side which fielded 10 internationals. However, Leinster showed sufficient composure to absorb an opening flurry of attacks and a counter thrust yielded the lead in the 18th minute. From a short corner, the ball was switched to Anton Scott who scored with typical sang froid.

This spurred Ulster into a response and after Nigel Henderson had kept out shots by Paul Hollway and Mark Tumilty, a chance fell to Tumilty to smack home an equaliser just before the interval. Leinster took up the offensive again in the second half, and regained the lead in the 12th minute when Butler found the target from a set-piece.

Subsequently, particularly efficient defending by Francis de Rosa, allied to further saves by Henderson from Eroll Lutton and a clearance off the line by Turlough O Siochain, kept Ulster at bay.

Earlier, Munster were given a crisp exercise by the Irish Under21 team before winning 2-1. Munster captain Alistair Dunne put away a short corner in the 17th minute, and Darren Hanna poked home a second goal early in the second half. The Under-21 team - driven from the back by David Smyth - deserved more than a solitary reply from Justin Sheriff.