Ulster take top honours at the MMI Group Interprovincials

Kinnegad was the venue for the the 2012 MMI Group Interprovincial Tournament. Talk before the day suggested that it would be a tight contest between Ulster and Munster. Predictions were correct as the Cup was contested by Ulster and Munster while Leinster and Connacht had to satisfy themselves with a battle for the Shield.

The Shield Final saw a superb performance from the Leinster Ladies as they stormed to to 7-22 to 0-6 win over the Westerners.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The main event of the day was the Cup final between Munster and Ulster.

Munster were coming into the tournament as defending champions and with a squad stacked with Cork heroes things were looking good for them. Ulster however had other ideas. Managed by Monaghan manager Gregory McGonagle and naming no less than 14 Monaghan players in their squad, there was very little ‘getting to know you’ time for the Ulster side.

When the sides met in the round stages of the competition both sides simply ‘went at it.’ Finishing with an Ulster victory of 2-13 to 2-09.

The final was played at a tremendous tempo with plenty of scores, wides, blocks, tackles etc – everything you would get in a top quality Championship game. Coming into the last ten minutes of the game Ulster were leading. Munster push hard and some serious shooting from Munster brought them within touching distance.

Ulster however simply would not fold. They held strong and through some fantastic performances, especially Armagh’s Caroline O’Hanlon who was later awarded player of the tournament, they crossed the line as victors outscoring their rivals 0-14 to 1-07.