Shane O’Donoghue struck twice in the closing nine minutes to dramatically swing the under-21 men’s interprovincial title Leinster’s way in Hillsborough yesterday, snatching the title from Ulster.
The tournament’s standout player, the senior international was the driving force for the provinces just when the title looked to be slipping from their grasp.
Ulster’s 9-1 win over Munster on Saturday evening in Havelock Park meant they held the edge going into the deciding game, needing just a draw to claim back the title for the first time since 2009.
Ulster led through Stephen Dowds and Hugh McShane before O’Donoghue pulled one back. Leinster laboured until O’Donoghue whipped home from a penalty corner with nine minutes to go .
The UCD man got another chance from the set piece three minutes later and again fired low to the left corner for his hat trick and eventual winner. It meant a third successive title for Leinster as they finished with three wins from three outings.
The Irish U-18 side, meanwhile, took third courtesy of their 3-1 win over Munster yesterday as Michael Robson, Brian O’Malley and Simon Wolfe were all on the mark.
Elsewhere, Three Rock Rovers will meet Monkstown in their Irish Senior Cup semi-final while Pembroke play Banbridge on March 23rd.
