Munster's Andy Gray attempts to hold off Ulster's Timmy Cockram. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Ulster then faced down Munster knowing a win was imperative to have any hopes of retaining their title won in Cork last term.

But the southerners had other ideas; David Hobbs, returning from a recent ankle injury, was everywhere, and John Jermyn gave Munster the lead with a trademark drag-flick.

While Ulster had more pressure and possession, Munster defended valiantly through John Hobbs, Conor Harte and Adam Pritchard, and created a better calibre of chances, but Bruce McCandless hauled Ulster level.

Jermyn re-established the southerners’ lead with a bizarre goal. Only Darren Farrell will know whether he intended his reverse-stick cross to loop high, taking out three Ulster defenders in the process, and Jermyn controlled at the back post before half-volleying home.

Unfortunately for Munster, Ulster snatched a draw at the death, Simon Todd diving to get on the end of a cross from the left to deflect high past Billy Lynch for 2-2.

Jermyn was on the scoresheet again against Leinster, knowing a victory would give Munster the honours. He batted home a corner rebound after Watkins had done likewise on 30 minutes to level it up.

But Munster got caught cold late on, as Leinster threw an aerial deep into the visitors’ circle as confusion reigned over an umpiring decision, and Andy McConnell got in behind David Harte to give the blues a 2-1 victory to reclaim the Leinster Regiment Cup.

Ulster 1 (T Cockram) Leinster 4 (G Watkins 3, P Blakeney);
Ulster 2 (B McCandless, S Todd) Munster 2 (J Jermyn 2);
Munster 1 (J Jermyn) Leinster 2 (G Watkins, A McConnell);

Final standings (pts/goal diff): 1 Leinster 6 pts (+4); 2 Munster 1 pt (-1); 3 Ulster 1 pt (-3).

U21 MEN: A relative lack of strength in depth on the men’s side of things in Munster was highlighted by the fact that  the likes of Patrick Shanahan and Ali Smith had to double up with the seniors and U-21s.

Ulster's Simon Todd deflects in the equaliser against Munster. Picture: Simon MacAllister

Two 3-2 defeats suggests Munster were nonetheless unlucky not to have a bigger say in this tournament, but with all four of their strikes coming from the drag-flicks of Dan Hobbs, a lack of relative cutting edge was apparent.

Neil Hamilton rifled in a hat-trick of flicks to have Ulster coasting at 3-0 at half time against Munster, only for Hobbs to hit back with two of his own to ensure a nervy finish, although an equaliser proved beyond Roger Gray’s side.

Brian Doherty and Jonathan Kane had set Leinster up with a 2-1 win over Ulster on Friday night, and skipper Doherty scored again in the decider against Munster, along with Stephen Cole and Davy Carson, in a 3-2 win, with Hobbs agains netting Munster’s two from set-pieces.

Ulster 1 (N Hamilton) Leinster 2 (B Doherty, J Kane);
Ulster 3 (N Hamilton 3) Munster 2 (D Hobbs 2);
Leinster 3 (D Carson, B Doherty, S Cole) Munster 2 (D Hobbs 2);

Final standings (pts/goal diff): 1 Leinster 6 pts (+2); 2 Ulster 3 pts (0); 3 Munster 0 pts (-2).

SENIOR WOMEN: Despite being hit less badly in numerical terms by the withdrawal of the Irish international squad, a failure to score against either Leinster or Ulster shows the seniors missed the spark of Eimear Cregan and Julia O’Halloran.

They finished with a flourish against Connacht to ensure a third-placed finish, but will be disappointed not to have made more of their chances against Leinster on Friday night; Aine Connery and Elaine Bromell in particular both went close.

But Jean McDonnell struck a winner with 12 minutes remaining for the hosts, and Munster’s bad luck continued against Ulster on Saturday.

A tightly-founght encounter was going the way of Ulster thanks to Suzanne Beaney’s opener, before they hit an insurance strike in fortuitous fashion. A ball seemed to be clearly raised into Sinead McCarthy’s knee, but play was waved on and Alice Garrad nipped in to score and secure a 2-0 win.

Munster's Sinead Connery on the charge against Ulster. Picture: Adrian Boehm

That left Munster fighting to avoid the wooden spoon, which they thankfully did by beating Connacht 2-1. Tara Melvin put the westerners ahead early on, but Aine Connery equalised and McCarthy had the final say from the penalty spot to see off a valiant Connacht effort.

Ulster 1 (S Quinn) Connacht 0;
Munster 0 Leinster 1 (J McDonnell);
Leinster 1 (N Daly) Connacht 0;
Ulster 2 (S Beaney, A Garrad) Munster 0;
Connacht 1 (T Melvin) Munster 2 (A Connery, S McCarthy);
Ulster 1 (S Beaney) Leinster 1 (C McKean);

Final standings (pts/goal diff): 1 Ulster 7 pts (+3); 2 Leinster 7 pts (+2); 3 Munster 3 pts (-2); 4 Connacht 0 pts (-3).

U21 WOMEN: Ulster blew up in the final game of a women’s U21 tournament which had appeared to had their name written all over it.

Having steamrolled Munster and South East, hitting ten goals without reply in the process, they were favourites to secure a fourth straight title.

But Nikki Evans and Kate McKenna had other ideas, claiming the goals in a 2-0 win to bring the title back to Dublin for the first time since 2006.

For Munster, a tournament that started relatively promisingly – with two Katie Campbell goals ensuring they pushed Leinster all the way in a 3-2 loss – ended as one to forget. They were disappointingly whitewashed, including a shock 2-1 loss to South East and a 6-0 hammering at the hands of Ulster.

Munster U21's Jenni Lyttle holds off a Leinster player. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Nonetheless, here is mitigation in the unavailability of two potential keynote players, Naomi Carroll and Yvonne O’Byrne, due to exam commitments, while the majority of the side still has at least another year – and in some cases two or three – left at this level.

Leinster 3 (N Farrell, H Matthews, N Evans) Munster 2 (K Campbell 2)
Ulster 4 (K Hewitt, E Thornbury, S McClure, J Kyle) South East 0
Munster 1 (K Murphy) South East 2 (M Byrne, C Murphy);
Leinster 3 (A O’Flanagan 3) South East 0;
Munster 0 Ulster 6 (E Thornbury 2, K Lammey, K Steenson, J Kyle, K Hewitt);
Ulster 0 Leinster 2 (N Evans, K McKenna);

Final standings (pts/goal diff): 1 Leinster 9 pts (+6); 2 Ulster 6 pts (+8); 3 South East 3 pts (-6); 4 Munster 0 pts (-8).

DOMESTIC LEAGUES AND CUPS: Cork Harlequins B surged into the final of the Munster Junior Cup by dispatching Catholic Institute’s seconds 3-1 at Rosbrien, with Stephen Wolfe’s double the main catalyst for victory.

Bandon B’s good form since the turn of the year continues as goals from Chris Wood, Ivan Bryan and Aidan Walsh gave them a 3-1 victory in a stormy game with Ashton, for whom Greg Chambers hit a reply.

Munster U21's Darren Beamish rounds a Leinster player. Picture: Adrian Boehm

In the men’s Division 3B, C of I F ended a trying season on a high note, as Rob Jones cancelled out Andrew Sullivan’s effort for Quins E to secure a 1-1 draw that lifted them off the bottom of the table for the first time this year.

Two losses in three days have all but conemned UCC to bottom spot in the women’s Division Two. They were well in the game against Belvedere on Thursday night, but found Colette Coomey in flying form between the sticks for the Ballincollig side; Anne Marie Dooley did the business at the other end with a hat-trick to help them win 4-0.

That left Belvedere with a second-placed finish behind Cork Harlequins, and it is likely they will take up the option of a promotion/relegation playoff against UL in the hope of regaining top-flight status.

And in Saturday’s bottom-of-the-table clash at Mount Mercy, Ashton scored a 2-1 win as a Caroline McCarthy double cancelled out a short corner rebound strike by Kate O’Sullivan.

Elsewhere, the Munster Senior Plate final between C of I and Bandon, will go ahead on Tuesday night, while a number of men’s cup finals are down for decision after Easter on April 11.

A huge thanks to the Irish Hockey Photographers for a flood of superb work at Grange Road and elsewhere over the weekend; Adrian, Deryck and Simon fitted in seven Munster games amongst other over the three days, including at least one from each team, while Ondine Roche took the early shift at Mount Mercy on Saturday to ensure we could put the Division 2 players of Ashton and UCC in the spotlight for once. Please click the following links for the sets from various different games.

Senior Women: Munster vs Leinster – Deryck Vincent
Senior Women: Munster vs Ulster – Adrian Boehm
Senior Men: Munster vs Ulster – Adrian Boehm
Senior Men: Munster vs Ulster – Simon MacAllister
Senior Men: Munster vs Leinster – Adrian Boehm
U21 Men: Munster vs Leinster – Adrian Boehm
U21 Women: Munster vs Leinster – Adrian Boehm
Women’s Div 2: UCC vs Ashton – Ondine Roche

Formerly one of the highlights of the hockey calendar, the competition is now pilloried in some quarters as a needlessly expensive exercise only still in practice due to tradition.

Given the Irish teams spend more time together than ever – and the three-tier structure of the national side – there are many who feel the interpros are an increasingly pointless exercise outside underage level.

Munster players celebrate during last year's 5-5 draw with Ulster at Garryduff. Picture: Eoin Tyrrell

But try telling that to Conor or David Harte, the Cork-born Irish international twins who ply their trade in Dublin with Pembroke Wanderers, but who relish the opportunity to don Munster colours once a year.

A few players also buck the claims that the competition no longer presents a chance for lesser lights to grab the attention of the national coaches.

Ulster’s Chris Cargo is one such example: exiled across the water in Reading, he answered an 11th-hour call-up for last year’s competition in Cork, and did enough to turn the head of national coach Paul Revington.

Munster senior manager Eddie Gash is hoping some of his players can similarly put themselves in the shop window this time around.

“Munster definitely have a number of players that are pushing for more international recognition,” he said.

“Andy Herbert, Adam Pritchard, Clinton Sweetnam and Ali Smith are among the players who are looking to follow in the footsteps of John Jermyn and David Hobbs, as the Harte brothers have done recently.

“Certainly, it does give players further exposure to the international coaches and show they can perform at the highest level.

“The interpros are also important in their own right, and it’s a tournament that all the players look forward to and enjoy playing in.”

He added: “Both the Leinster & Ulster squads look extremely strong, full of international experience. But in a tournament with only two games then anything is possible.

“The Munster players all know each other’s game well, and have plenty of experience; so are very much capable of pulling off two performances and causing an upset.

“Munster should also have strength in set pieces, with many threats at penalty corners and have Ireland’s best goalkeeper. Penalty corners are crucial in this type of tournament.”

Karem Hales, Audrey O'Flynn and Julia O'Halloran celebrate the latter's strike against Ulster last year, but none of the trio will be in provioncial colours this time around. Picture: Eoin Tyrrell

Munster are looking to win the men’s Leinster Regiment Cup for the first time since 2005, with Ulster the current holders. David Hobbs looks set to be fit after recovering from the ankle injury suffered against Glenanne three weeks ago, though Conor Harte remains an injury doubt.

You have to go back to 2003 to find the last time the province claimed the senior women’s crown, something coach Paidi Hartnett will be keen to amend this time around.

The precautionary withdrawal of Irish internationals ahead of next month’s World Cup Qualifier assignment in Chile means each province — bar South East — are shorn of their top players.

However, Munster’s Connery sisters — Áine, Eimear and captain Sinéad — will have a big say in their hopes, while English-born Sinéad McCarthy makes her first interpro appearance and is one of the country’s most talented sweepers.

The men’s U21 side has the majority of their players back from last year and will look to launch a serious challenge for that crown, though the women’s side – captained by UCC’s Rosie Shanahan – has a more inexperienced look about it.

Senior and U21 Interprovincials, Grange Road, Dublin

Senior Men: Ulster vs Leinster (Tonight, 8pm); Ulster vs Munster (Tomorrow, 2pm); Munster vs Leinster (Sunday, 2pm).

MUNSTER Senior Men: David Harte (GK, Pembroke Wanderers); Billy Lynch (GK, Cork C of I); Lee d’Alton (Cork Harlequins), Eddie Dore (Cork Harlequins), Darren Farrell (Cork Harlequins), Andy Gray (UCC), Conor Harte (Pembroke Wanderers), David Harvey (Cork C of I), Andy Herbert (Cork C of I), John Hobbs (Cork Harlequins), David Hobbs (Cork C of I), John Jermyn (Cork C of I, vice-capt), Alec Moffett (Cork C of I), Adam Pritchard (Pembroke Wanderers), Patrick Shanahan (Three Rock Rovers), Phil Smith (Cork C of I, capt), Ali Smith (Bandon), Clinton Sweetnam (Cork C of I). Coach: Stephen Jackson; Manager: Eddie Gash.

ESB Senior Women: Ulster vs Connacht (Tonight, 6pm); Munster vs Leinster (Tonight, 8pm); Leinster vs Connacht (Tomorrow, 12pm); Ulster vs Munster (Tomorrow, 4pm); Connacht vs Munster (Sunday, 12pm); Ulster vs Leinster (Sunday, 4pm).

MUNSTER Senior Women: Ciara Ronan (GK, Catholic Institute); Orla McCarthy (GK, Cork C of I); Elaine Bromell (Catholic Institute), Sinead McCarthy (Cork Harlequins), Sandra Hackett (Cork C of I), Orla Crowley (UCC), Miriam Crowley (UCC), Sinead Connery (Cork C of I, capt), Ali O’Connor (UCC), Eibhlín O’Donoghue (UCC), Olivia Roycroft (UCC), Ali O’Regan (UCC), Rachel McSharry (Cork Harlequins), Rosie Pratt (Catholic Institute), Kym Daly (Catholic Institute), Aine Connery (Hermes), Jen O’Loughlin (UL), Eimear Connery (Cork C of I). Coach: Paidi Hartnett; Assistant Coach: Neil Welch; Manager: John Dennis.

U21 Men: Ulster vs Leinster (Tonight, 6pm); Ulster vs Munster (Tomorrow, 12pm); Munster vs Leinster (Sunday, 12pm).

MUNSTER u21 Men: Brian Corcoran (GK, Bandon); Dan Hobbs (Cork Harlequins), Stuart O’Grady (Cork C of I), Karl Lynch (Cork C of I), Adam O’Callaghan (Cork C of I), Darren Beamish (Bandon), Andrew Scannell (Bandon), Andrew Daunt (Cork C of I), Roger Gray (UCC), Ali Smith (Bandon), Aaron Beamish (Bandon), Patrick Shanahan (Three Rock Rovers), Malcolm Coombes (Cork C of I), Fionn O’Leary (Bandon), Philip Sweetnam (UCC), Mark Holland (Ashton). Coach: Ger Burns; Manager: Mervyn Good.

ESB U21 Women: Leinster vs Munster (Tomorrow, 10am); Ulster vs South East (Tomorrow, 10am); Munster vs South East (Tomorrow, 3.30pm); Leinster vs South East (Sunday, 10am); Munster vs Ulster (Sunday, 10am); Ulster vs Leinster (Sunday, 3.30pm).

MUNSTER U21 Women: Emma White (GK, Cork C of I); Susan Peters (GK, Ashton); Rosie Shanahan (UCC, capt); Jenni Lyttle (Limerick), Caoimhe Bourke (Trinity), Katie Campbell (Catholic Institute), Kate Collins Smyth (University of New Hampshire), Julie Coyne (Cork C of I), Aoife Kearney (Catholic Institute), Sinead Kelly (UL), Nicola Kerr (Cork C of I), Edwina McGrath (Cork Harlequins), Kate Murphy (UCC), Fiona O’Connell (UCC), Jennifer O’Flynn (UCC), Emma Harrington (Ashton). Coach: Alan Dobson. Assistant Coach: Liz Kerr; Manager: Meg Burke.

The men’s side, backboned by a number of Division One players from Catholic Institute, went closest at Farmer’s Cross, and were still in with a shout of winning the title with 20 minutes to go in the final clash against Leinster.

A 3-1 win over Connacht on the opening day – the goals coming from Eric Calendar, Rob Jenkins and Gary Atcheson, set them up for a grandstand Sunday. And when Calendar nabbed the only goal of the game with two minutes to go against Ulster, it set up a winner-takes-all clash with the holders.

David Wilson gave the blues an early lead, only for Calendar to tie it up with 20 to go, his third in as many games. However, further strikes from Wilson and Ben Wallace did the necessary for Leinster to retain the title with a 3-1 win over John Moloney’s side.

In the women’s tournament, Munster were left to rue a sloppy 1-1 draw with South East which effectively denied them a share of second place, despite bookending their campaign with two notable wins at Garryduff.

Quins’ Orla Cotter had been pegged as a dangerwoman by coach David Egner beforehand, and she and club-mate Kate Herbert gave the reds a 2-0 win over Connacht on opening day.

Cotter struck again in the next outing, against Ulster, as did Laura McSweeney, but the northerners proved too strong at the other end and ran out 5-2 winners.

Skipper Kay Gaffney was on target against South East, but that draw all but ended any lingering hopes of tournament victory, and a rampant Ulster’s 7-0 demolition of the same opposition meant only a deluge of goals for Leinster could deny them the title.

And that never looked likely, as Munster instead ended the tournament on a high note, Gaffney and Cotter getting the goals in a 2-0 win that gave them a share of second place on points, though Leinster edged them on goal difference.

Junior Interpros, Harelquin Park, Cork

Ulster 3 (S Law 2, J Law) Connacht 1 (M Tighe);
Munster 3 (E Calendar, R Jenkins, G Atchison) Connacht 1 (F Keaveney);
Leinster 4 (M Styles, B Wallace, D Wallace, D Ryan) Ulster 1 (P McKeown);
Leinster 4 (J Lazenby, D Ryan, B Wallace, D Wilson) Connacht 0;
Munster 1 (E Calendar) Ulster 0;
Munster 1 (E Calendar) Leinster 3 (D Wilson 2, B Wallace).

Final standings (goal difference): 1 Leinster 9 pts (+9); 2 Munster 6 pts (+1); 3 Ulster 3 pts (-2); 4 Connacht 0 pts (-9).

ESB Women’s Irish Junior Interpros, Garryduff, Cork

Munster 2 (O Cotter, K Herbert) Connacht 0;
Ulster 0 Leinster 0;
South East 0 Connacht 3 (E Newell, P Ryan, A Whelan);
Munster 2 (L McSweeney, O Cotter) Ulster 5 (G David, SJ McClung 2, D Wilson, S Galbraith);
Leinster 3 (AM McKeown 2, S Cory) South East 0;
Ulster 2 (S Galbraith, C Waide) Connacht 0;
Munster 1 (K Gaffney) South East 1 (M Lambert);
Connacht 0 Leinster 1 (S Cory);
South East 0 Ulster 7 (S Galbraith 2, G Davis 3, C Waide, S Brown);
Munster 2 (K Gaffney, O Cotter) Leinster 0.

Final standings (goal difference): 1 Ulster 10 pts (+12); 2 Leinster 7 pts (+2); 2= Munster 7 pts (+1); 4 Connacht 3 pts (-2); 5 South East 1 pt (-13).

The Munster Branch last week sent a circular in the hope of unearthing a coach and a manager for the side, but are still on the lookout ahead of the tournament, which takes place on March 13/14 in Cork Harlequins.

Those interested in either position should contact Finbarr Kelleher on finbarr(at)ireland.com asap.

A first trial for this team will be held this Saturday, February 20 at 5pm at Harlequin Park. Players are asked to bring a white and red top, and €5 for pitch rental.

Thirty players from inside and outside the province have so far expressed their interest in taking part, but all are welcome to try out on the day. All players whose teams did not play Irish Senior Cup hockey – and who have not played senior or U21 interpro – are eligible.

Quins' Claire Bergin (right) is one of 10 returning players in this year's Munster junior women's panel. Picture: Eoin Tyrrell

Meanwhile, things have moved on for the Munster women’s junior team, with coach David Egner naming his panel of 18 for their tournament, which takes place on the same weekend as the men in Garryduff.

Six clubs are represented, with 13 coming from Catholic Institute and Cork Harlequins, the pace-setters in Division Two thus far this season.

Ten players make a return from last year’s squad, while Institute quartet Nicki Sterritt, Sandra Hedigan, Aisling Fitzgerald and Niamh Barron, goalkeepers Mary Claire McCarthy (Quins) and Emma White (C of I), Ashton’s Jane O’Sullivan and Orla Cotter of Quins are the new faces.

“We had 40 players attending 3 trials over past month,” explained Egner, who is coaching the side with Brian Hayes Curtin. “The standard is much higher than last year – not that it wasn’t strong then, it’s just more competitive for places everywhere this time around – and we feel we have a much stronger unit this time around.”

The squad has two upcoming training sessions in Garryduff: this Saturday, February 20, from 4.30pm-7pm, and Saturday March 6th, from 6pm-6.30pm, in advance of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Munster U21 women’s coach Alan Dobson has also named his 24-strong training panel in advance of their tournament in Dublin on March 27/28.

This year’s outfit looks set to be much-changed, with a number of stalwarts of this grade moving on at once, but there are a number of exciting talents included.

Chief among those are Institute hitwomen Naomi Carroll and Katie Campbell, along with Cork Harlequins’ uncompromising defensive rock Yvonne O’Byrne.

A couple of exiles also feature; former Bandon girls Síle Johnson, now with NUIG, is among them, as is Trinity’s ex-Institute and former Ireland U18 Caomihe Burke, and Kate Collins-Smyth of the University of New Hampshire.

MUNSTER U21 women’s training panel (24): Susan Peters (GK, Ashton), Claire Hayes (GK, Coláiste na Toirbhirte), Emma White (GK, C of I), Emer White (GK, Bandon), Caomihe Burke (Trinity), Katie Campbell (Catholic Institute), Naomi Carroll (Catholic Institute), Kate Collins-Smyth (University of New Hampshire), Orla Cotter (Cork Harlequins), Julie Coyne (C of I), Aoife Crowley (Catholic Institute), Emma Harrington (Ashton), Síle Johnson (NUIG), Sinead Kelly (UL), Nicola Kerr (C of I), Jennifer Lyttle (Limerick), Edwina McGrath (Cork Harlequins), Kate Murphy (UCC), Yvonne O’Byrne (Cork Harlequins), Fiona O’Connell (UCC), Sorcha O’Dea (Catholic Institute), Jennifer O’Flynn (UCC), Rosie Shanahan (UCC), Aoife Walsh (Catholic Institute).

MUNSTER JUNIOR women’s squad (18): Emma White (GK, C of I), Mary Claire McCarthy (GK, Cork Harlequins), Erica Breen (Cork Harlequins), Niamh Barron (Catholic Institute), Dale Burkley (Cork Harlequins), Maria Twomey (Belvedere), Kay Gaffney (Cork Harlequins), Jane O’Sullivan (Ashton), Aisling Fitzgerlad (Catholic Institute), Nicki Sterritt (Catholic Institute), Laura Davis (UL), Kate Herbert (Cork Harlequins), Sandra Hedigan (Catholic Institute), Orla Cotter (Cork Harlequins), Claire Bergin (Cork Harlequins), Laura McSweeney (Cork Harlequins), Eleanor Flood (Cork Harlequins), Maeve Murphy (Clonmel). Reserves: Liz Clifford (Belvedere) Anne Marie Dooley (Belvedere).

Munster U16's Scott Sullivan, scorer of both his side's goals in the 2-1 win over Leinster, gets away from Ravin Nair. Picture: Adrian Boehm

While fans of the Red Hand regularly lament the lack of players coming through as a reason for a dearth of success at club level, the province’s young guns did their best to put paid to the theory at Grange Road and UCD, losing just once in 16 outings.

Banbridge hitman Stephen Dowds grabbed his ninth goal in four games — a haul that included two hat-tricks — as the U18 side got the point they needed in a 1-1 draw with Leinster to secure their crown.

Munster, for their part, put in a far more spirited performance earlier in the day but still went down 1-0 to Leinster, leaving them winless over the weekend.

The U16 Ulster side could even afford a final-day 1-0 loss to Leinster and still walk away with their title on goal difference.

That was largely due to a spoiler’s performance from Munster, who shipped some heavy defeats earlier in the competition but stunned Leinster 2-1 for the only win by either of the southern province’s boys teams, thanks to a brace from Bandon’s Irish U16 international Scott Sullivan.

Ulster’s U18 girls produced a near-flawless weekend to retain their title, taking maximum points from their four games.

Their sternest challenge came from Munster, who were well in the hunt until Vanessa Surgeoner’s second-half goal gave Ulster a 3-1 win.

That had followed up a promising opening-day 2-1 win over Leinster for the Munster girls, for whom Catholic Institute duo Katie Campbell and Naomi Carroll had hit the target.

Munster U18 celebrate their 2-1 win over Leinster, but they were denied second place in the tournament on goal difference. Picture: Adrian Boehm

But a 3-0 collapse to Connacht on the final day relegated them to fourth place, albeit on goal difference after they finished level on six points with Leinster and Connacht.

Ulster’s U16 girls were even more impressive en route to their win, also claiming four wins from four and scoring 15 times along the way, shipping just one goal to Connacht. Lucy McKee of Armagh, a star of last year’s win in Cork, was their top markswoman, claiming six of her side’s goals.

Leinster finished a distant second on seven points, with Munster third after Antonia McGrath’s double helped them to a 4-0 win over an out-of-sorts South East outfit.

The full rundown interpros results and goalscorers is available here, as are the details from a truncated weekend of action in lower divisions in Munster this weekend. Adrian Boehm was at both tournaments and took a huge selection of great photos which are available to view and download on the Irish Hockey Photographers Flickr.

Munster U16 captain Richard Lynch attempts to beat a Leinster player. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Munster’s hopes of taking either the U18 or U16 boys interpro titles have been all but dashed, after each side tasted defeat twice on the opening day.

The scheduling at UCD didn’t favour the southern province, with each side having to play twice on the opening day, and both outfits found it difficult to get to grips with their opponents from Leinster and Ulster.

The Stephen Jackson-coached U18 side were downed by quickfire strikes in each of their games. Banbridge hitman Stephen Dowds put Ulster 2-0 up inside six minutes of their opening clash with Munster, before Stephen Swanton hit back to give the reds hope.

But Ian Sloan and Owen Magee stretched out the lead to 4-1 before the break, as Ben Dobson sat out a five minute suspension. Munster’s defence tightened up in a scoreless second half, but the northerners’ victory was never in doubt.

In their second clash with Leinster, Dundalk native Andrew Shekleton put the hosts in front, only for Nick Burns to take full advantage of a defensive error and a questionable umpiring decision to slot home the equaliser.

The sides remained deadlocked at the break, but two sucker punches inside a minute – a Shane O’Donoghue drag-flick and a Luke Chadwick strike – had Munster on the ropes.

O’Donoghue repeated the trick to push Leinster out to 4-1, before Swanton grabbed his second of the competition as a consolation.

Leinster U18 captain Shane O'Donoghue helps Munster's Ben Dobson relieve leg cramps. Picture: Adrian Boehm

It was an even tougher day at the office for the U16s, who lost 5-0 and 5-1 to Ulster and Leinster respectively. Matthew Allister’s brace and an effort from Ireland U16 Josh Moffett had Ulster 3-0 to the good at the break, with James Cox and James Lorimer finishing the job in the second half.

Kilkenny’s Jeremy Duncan spear-headed Leinster’s 5-1 victory; opening the scoring with a stunning individual goal before Richard Kingston made no mistake from close range to equalise.

But Ross Canning had Leinster back in front inside a minute, and he turned provider for Duncan to score another cracker before knocking in his second for 4-1, latching on to David Cole’s fine defence-splitting pass. Kirk Shimmins also hit the target to rub salt into Munster’s wounds.

Meanwhile, John Jermyn claimed the 50th goal of his international career as Ireland saw off Scotland 3-1 at Havelock Park in Banbridge last night.

The Cork C of I man’s drag-flick arrived in the last minute, following a stunning Mikey Watt reverse and a Timmy Cockram effort, with a Mark Ralph drag sandwiched in between for the Scots.

With bad weather playing havoc with some of the interpro tournaments last season, the competitions were moved away from their traditional winter dates, meaning players and coaches alike have been busy preparing  throughout the summer off-season.

Leinster invariably start as favourites for the boys’ tournaments, though they have a habit of being less than the sum of their parts. Nonetheless, on paper, the U18 side, captained by Glenanne tyro Shane O’Donoghue, appear to possess the strongest squad once again.

Naomi Carroll will once again be a key figure in the Muster U18 girls' challenge. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Ulster will look to Banbridge marksman Stephen Dowds to provide their goals, while Munster’s Nick Burns will be seeking to embellish his reputation as one of the country’s most exciting young talents.

However, it is the U18 girls tournament which is set to provide the most intrigue; this was an incredibly close-run thing in Cork last year, with Ulster first past the post, just ahead of Leinster and Connacht.

The westerners once again are very strong at this grade, with Freddie Timmins, Lynsey Trainor and the gifted Dora Gorman anchoring their challenge.

Hermes’ Chloe Watkins is again the star name for Leinster, alongside club-mates Deirdre Duke, and skipper Gillian Pinder.
Munster possess one of the country’s most uncompromising defenders in Yvonne O’Byrne, with Naomi Carroll — who, like Duke, is also an Irish underage soccer international — providing the threat at the other end.

With a number of players announcing themselves to the wider hockey public for the first time, the U16 interpros generally have an unknown quantity to them.

Ulster are the holders in the girls’ tournament, but Munster could be the surprise package this season, with Cork Harlequins duo Leanne Mullins and Acacia Taylor rated among the best prospects in the country.

Monkstown starlet David Cole will be hoping to lead Leinster to a third successive boys title, with Irish international team-mates Scott Sullivan and Josh Moffett leading the challenge for Munster and Ulster respectively.

Elsewhere, Ireland’s men play a three-game series against Scotland in Banbridge as they continue their preparations for next month’s World Cup qualifying campaign in Argentina.

Chloe Watkins will anchor Leinster's challenge for the U18 girls title as they bid to wrest the crown back from Ulster. Picture: Adrian Boehm

With international and interprovincial action dominating this weekend’s agenda, club games are few and far between across the provinces.

However, the ESB women’s Irish Senior Cup will get underway a week early in Tallaght, as Glenanne host Ulster Elks in a match moved due to the host club’s EuroHockey League trip to Barcelona next weekend.

For details of fixtures and the Munster squads competing at this weekend’s interpros, click here and follow the respective links, then click ‘view squad details’.

As with the U18 interpros, an early-season date at UCD (October 2-4) for the U16 tournament has seen Gray and his coaching team screening players, holding trials and playing practice matches throughout the summer.

Eight players return from last season’s side, and Gray is hoping to build on that experience to have a real tilt at winning the competition.

“They are a great bunch of lads that Steve (Sweetnam, assistant coach), George (Blackwell, manager) and I have enjoyed coaching through out the summer,” said Gray.

Scott Sullivan, seen here in action at last year's U16 interpros, will again be a key player for Munster this time around.

“I believe they have a great chance to besuccesful at the interpros – they just need to go in with a winning mentality, not thinking they’re there to make up the numbers.

“I think a number of players will be pushing for Irish u16 places, especially with this being a European year for them. There is a good mix of schools and clubs involed in the team, which is good for the future of Munster hockey.”

Munster’s midfield will be anchored by Ashton School’s Richard Lynch, with Bandon Grammar’s Ireland U16 international Scott Sullivan providing the flair.

Midleton College brothers Adam and Andrew Colton will be vital players in defence, while the goalscoring burden up front will fall on Ben Scott and Gary Wilkinson. Bandon Grammar’s goalkeeping giant Mighty Okafor will likely be between the sticks.

Warm-up games have yielded a 1-0 loss to Catholic Institute and a 5-5 draw with Limerick, and the side also put 14 past Ashton’s women and defeated the Munster U18 girls side 5-2.

The side will face their U18 counterparts and UCC men’s firsts in the coming weekends, before  heading for Belfield.

Munster u16 boys squad: Mighty Okafor (GK, Bandon GS); Andrew Colton (Midleton College/Cork C of I, vice-capt), Fred McElroy (Bandon GS/Bandon), Stuart Miller (Bandon GS/Cork C of I), Richard Kingston (Bandon GS/Bandon), Adam Colton (Midleton College/Cork C of I), Scott Sullivan (Bandon GS/Bandon), Richard Lynch (Ashton School/Cork C of I, capt), Ben Scott (Bandon GS/Bandon), Gary Wilkinson (Ashton School/Cork C of I), Richard Sweetnam (Ashton/Cork C of I), Mark Ryan (Ard Scoil Ris/Catholic Institute), David Treacy (Ashton School/Cork C of I), Nathan Eacrett (Villiers/Limerick HC), Simon Wolfe (Ashton/Cork C of I), Peter Swanton (Ashton/Cork C of I).

Coach: Andrew Gray
Assistant coach: Stephen Sweetnam
Manager: George Blackwell
GK coach: Billy Lynch

Egner has taken the unusual step of naming two co-captains for the squad, which has five players returning from last season. Recent Cork Harlequins signing Edwina McGrath will share the skippering duties with club-mate Yvonne O’Byrne, who will have a point to prove after surprisingly being overlooked at international level thus far.

Yvonne O'Byrne will co-captain the Muster U18 side alongside Cork Harlequins team-mate Edwina McGrath. Picture: Deryck Vincent

Naomi Carroll will inevitably be the side’s totem up front, while at the other end, Nicole Laarhoven is an eyebrow-raising inclusion. The Dutch sweeper has an Irish mother and divides her time between her club Almeerse HC in the town of Almere, near Amsterdam, and Ardmore, Co Waterford.

The experience gained by Rebecca Barry and Amy Kate Trevor with the Ireland U16 squad this term should also benefit the squad. However, international team-mate Roisin Upton misses out on this tournament as she is still eligible at U16 level, and must prioritise that age-grade in a European year, with Egner describing her as “a big loss”.

Regarding his selections, Egner added: “Rebecca and Amy Kate have come on tremendously over the summer months. Their time with the Ireland U16 squad has given them an extra confidence boost, which is very evident when you see them play. It’s a pleasure to coach them.

“Rebecca missed out on last year’s squad on the last day of trials, when she went over on her ankle and damaged it significantly. Had that not happened she would have been on the squad, so I’m delighted to be able to include her this time around.

“Nicole is a good player; she has shown tremendous commitment, whether it be driving down from Ardmore or coming over from Holland to trial out and train. She is a natural defender with experience of playing a high standard over in Almeerse HC in Amsterdam, and this can only benefit our team.”

Having screened 69 players across six trials, Egner says he is satisfied that his charges will be ready by the time the tournament at Grange Road rolls around on October 3/4. However, he makes no bones about some of the obstacles he has encountered along the way.

The squad’s preparation so far has seen them produce mixed results against Bandon’s first team amid some experimentation, but five more matches (against Avoca, Quins seconds and the Munster U16 boys and girls sides) are planned to get the squad up to speed in time for a tournament that falls very early in the calendar.

“Time has definitely been an issue in relation to this tournament; even though we began trials in June, players were away due to holidays so the team couldn’t be finalised until last weekend,” explains Egner.

“But the girls have put in great commitment so far with all the trials to date. They been training very hard over the last few weeks, and with their clubs’ pre-season fitness programmes in full gear now, I have no doubt that we will be ready come October 3.”

Lack of familiarity with a water-based surface could be a potential issue for the side due to reduced preparation time, but Egner is nonetheless looking forward to seeing if his side can better a fourth-place finish last time out. Of the four reserve players named, two will fill the final two squad places, with the other two acting as reserves for the tournament as Egner waits to see how a couple of players carrying injuries recover.

Sarah Sullivan (left) is one of four players from Munster champions Bandon Grammar in the initial squad. Picture: Eoin Tyrrell

Munster U18 girls squad (school/club): Rebecca Barry (Laurel Hill Coláiste/Catholic Institute), Katie Campbell (Villiers/Catholic Institute), Naomi Carroll (St Patrick’s Comprehensive, Shannon/Catholic Institute), Edel Coyne (Midleton College/Cork C of I), Elaine Donnolly Murphy (GK, Mount Mercy/Cork Harlequins), Nicola Kerr (Bandon Grammar/Cork C of I), Nicole Laarhoven (Almeerse HC), Edwina McGrath (Ursuline Convent Thurles/Cork Harlequins, co-captain), Lauragh O’Neill (Scoil Mhuire/Cork C of I), Emily O’Leary (Mount Mercy/Cork Harlequins), Yvonne O’Byrne (Mount Mercy/Cork Harlequins, co-captain), Stephanie Peters (Bandon Grammar/Bandon), Emily Reidy (Scoil Mhuire/Cork C of I), Sarah Sullivan (Bandon Grammar/Bandon), Amy-Kate Trevor (Scoil Mhuire/Cork C of I), Elsbeth Wolfe (GK, Midleton College).

Reserves (2 to be added to squad): Julie Coyne (Midleton College/Cork C of I), Jess Kingston (Bandon Grammar/Cork C of I), Jennifer Murphy (Mount Mercy/Cork Harlequins), Susan Peters (GK, Mount Mercy/Ashton).