Hook Hockey

Ulster hold box seat at girl’s interpros

Ulster emerged from day one of both the U-18 and U-16 girl’s interpros as leaders to remain on course to hold on to both titles for a fourth successive year.

At the younger age level, they are ahead by just a single goal on goal difference in a competition which could be decided by the second last tie when Leinster and Munster. Anna Roopnarinesingh’s four goals have helped the blues secure a draw against Munster (2-2) and an impressive 7-1 win over the South East to be in good shape.

But the red hands are one better as Zoe Wilson’s four saw them head off Connacht 7-0. They also drew with Munster who could profit from any possible draw between their rivals as they face the South East and Connacht on Sunday as one of three unbeaten sides.

In the U-18s, Leinster were held to a 1-1 draw by the South East which sees them with a lot of ground to make up on Ulster. A 2-0 success over Munster has given them a chance but the northern province thrashed Connacht (8-0) and Munster (5-0) to build an imposing goal difference and a two-point wedge at the top of the standings.

ESB Electric Ireland U16 Interprovincial Tournament (all at Stormont)
Saturday results
Leinster 2 (Anna Roopnarinesingh, Saoirse O’Donoghue) Munster 2 (Clodagh Moloney, Niamh O’Donnell); South East 1 (Aisling Cronin) Connacht 0; Ulster 0 Munster 0; South East 1 (Ruth Harrington) Leinster 7 (Anna Roopnarinesingh 3, Amber Gleeson 2, Sara Quill 2); Connacht 0 Ulster 7 (Zoe Wilson 4, Faye Kidd, Taite Doherty, Jessica Moore)

Overnight standings: 1. Ulster 4pts (+7) 2. Leinster 4pts (+6) 3. South East 3pts (-5) 4. Munster 2pts (0) 5. Connacht 0pts (-8)
Sunday fixtures: Connacht v Leinster, 9.30am; Ulster v South East, 11am; Connacht v Munster, 12.30pm; Ulster v Leinster, 2pm; Munster v South East, 3.30pm

ESB Electric Ireland U18 Interprovincial Tournament
Saturday results: Connacht 0 Ulster 8 (Katie Mullan 5, Jill Edgar 2, Amy Cooke); Leinster 2 (Emma Russell, Kate Lloyd) Munster 0; South East 2 (Susan Shirley, Ruth Bowe) Connacht 4 (Elaine Carey 2, Rebecca Dillon, Aisling Dunne); Ulster 5 (Katie Mullan 2, Chloe Brown 2, Chloe McCann) Munster 0; South East 1 (Marie-Claire Morrissey) Leinster 1 (Laura Gray)

Overnight standings: 1. Ulster 6pts (+13) 2. Leinster 4pts (+2) 3. Connacht 3pts (-6) 4. South East 1pt (-2) 5. Munster 0pts (-7)
Sunday fixtures: Munster v South East, 9.30am; Leinster v Connacht, 11am; Ulster v South East, 12.30pm; Connacht v Munster, 2pm; Ulster v Leinster, 3.3pm