Mens Interprovincials 2001/2002

25th February 2002

Munster win the Interpros for the 3rd time in four years

Two inspired saves late in the game by Donegal goalkeeper David Buchanan from Justin Sherriff and Gordon Elliott enabled Ulster to contain Leinster to a 2-2 draw at Grange Road yesterday. So, the Interprovincial Championship was won by Munster, the only unbeaten side in the six-match series, who had held the defending champions Leinster to 1-1 on Saturday.

Saturday's game was the best and most open of the championship as both sides attacked with verve. Sherriff touched home a cross from Graham Shaw to give Leinster the lead, but Ulster responded immediately as the incisive Andy Barbour split the cover for Philip Sterling to equalise. Then, before half-time, Stephen Butler for Leinster and Chris Barnes for Ulster exchanged short-corner goals.

Ulster forced the pace at the start of the second period, but Alan Bothwell emerged as the most valuable figure in the Leinster defence while Will Powderly got things moving in midfield, if ultimately without reward as Sherriff flashed a last-minute shot barely wide.

Hardly anyone enjoyed Saturday's lacklustre deadlock. though it was to turn out to be sufficient for Munster to capture the title. Indeed, they would have been able to celebrate there and then if the Leinster skipper, Nigel Henderson, had not been capable of keeping out a shot from Andrew Chambers which looked like being a winner.

Leinster, spurred by Paudie Carley, had started with a flourish and went ahead through a drag flick by Sherriff. However, David Eakins equalised in similar fashion and steadily Munster closed down the home channels. Mark Black was especially effective in this respect while Karl Burns, notably, swept up any deeper threats.

Overall, it was an extremely tightly championship, with four games ending in draws. Several fresh challengers for places in John Clarke's national squad also emerged, including Powderly, Barbour, Eakins and a reinvigorated Mark Irwin.

Munster's results from last weekend:

Munster 1 (D. Eakins) - Ulster 1
Munster 1 (D. Eakins) - Leinster 1
Munster 2 (R. Gash & J. Black) - Shamrocks 0

The Munster 2001/2002 squad includes eight Harlequins players & coach Stephen Jackson. The Munster players on the panel are:- Wesley Bateman, John Hobbs, Morten Pedersen, Paul Lombard, Jason Black (capt.), David Eakins, John Aherne, Philip Chambers, Edward Gash & Richard Gash.