Hockey/Men's Interprovincials: Well waddaya know - Leinster were in the interprovincial tournament, were out of the interprovincial tournament and were back in it again.
Munster too. Now Munster are perhaps reluctant champions following yesterday's 4-0 romp by Leinster over Ulster.
Take a bow Leinster coach Turlough O'Siochain and the Munster team. For arguably the worst prepared Leinster team to go into an interprovincial series, O'Siochain, Peter Blakeney, Phelie Maguire, Graham Shaw et al certainly knew how to rain on an Ulster party.
The 4-0 result means that Munster, with a win over Leinster and draw with Ulster top the table. Leinster, who lost 1-0 to Munster on Friday, finish second and Ulster, with just one draw prop up the table.
In yesterday's final game of the weekend between Leinster and Ulster, it was Ulster who went in as favourites, hoping for a 1-0 win or better.
One goal would have secured a penalty shoot-out with Munster and a 2-0 win would have allowed Ulster coach Terry Gregg retain the title. Leinster's unforeseen pummelling of what on paper was a fine Ulster side was in nobody's script. Instead Leinster tore into the holders who just couldn't react, with Trinity's Blackeney continuing his season of prolific scoring with two goals, Shaw and Maguire adding one each in a bizarrely one-sided win.
International striker Shaw opened for Leinster after 27 minutes before Aer Lingus bulwark David Bane set up Blakeney for a 2-0 lead just before half time. At that stage Leinster were leading the short corner count 7-1.
The expected fight back from Ulster in the second half was instead replaced by Blackeney adding his second goal shortly after play resumed with a direct strike from a short corner, Maguire then finishing off the rout with perhaps the score of the tournament.
Riding through four attempted tackles, Maguire then rounded Ulster goalkeeper Johnny Moore for 4-0 to hand the title to Munster.
The draw for the Irish Senior Cup was also made over the weekend, throwing up one or two tasty fixtures.
Pembroke's journey north where they face top Ulster side Annadale will ensure one strong side departs from the premier Irish event, while Three Rock Rovers' home match against Cork Harlequins will again bring some welcome Munster flare to Dublin.
Irish Senior Cup Third Round, December 4th: Avoca v Portadown; Cork C of I v UCC; Trinity v Railway Union; Raphoe v Instonians; Cookstown v Banbridge; Sth Antrim v Monkstown; Belvedere v Bandon; UCD v Glenanne; TRR v Cork Harlequins; Antrim v Lisnagarvey; North Down v Aer Lingus; Suttonians v YMCA; Clontarf v NICS; Kilkeel v Catholic Institute; Annadale v Pembroke; Bangor v Corinthians.
