Gaelic Games

First-half containment sets Connacht up for win

Joe Kernan’s Ulster fail to take advantage of wind

Seán Cavanagh of Ulster with Connacht’s Joss Moore during the interprovincial championship final at Tuam Stadium. Photograph: Mike Shaughnessy/inpho
Seán Cavanagh of Ulster with Connacht’s Joss Moore during the interprovincial championship final at Tuam Stadium. Photograph: Mike Shaughnessy/inpho
Mon Feb 24 2014 - 01:00

Connacht 2-19
Ulster 1-7

Connacht manager John Tobin said there was relief that the province has finally secured their first interprovincial football title since 1969.

And they did it in style, containing champions Ulster in the opening half and then cutting loose after the restart when they had the strong wind behind them.

"It was a long time since we won, 45 years is a long time so the lads are thrilled with it. This really is a player tournament, the quality of football was outstanding again from both teams," said Tobin.

Impressive display
Connacht laid the foundation for the win at Tuam Stadium with an impressive first-half display against the wind and were poised for success when they trailed by just two points at the break.

“We needed to build a bigger lead than that and were right up against it in the second-half, but fair play to Connacht they deserved their success,” said Ulster manager Joe Kernan.

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Connacht worked the ball hard against the wind and led by 0-4 to 0-2 after 19 minutes before Colm Cavanagh pounced for an Ulster goal.

Connacht never look back once Michael Conroy found the net after 38 minutes and they were well on their way to victory by the time Sligo's David Kelly fisted home their second goal six minutes from time to secure their win.

CONNACHT: R Hennelly (Mayo) 0-3 (0-2 frees, 0-1 45); S McDermott (Roscommon), J Moore (Galway), K Higgins (Mayo) 0-2; G Bradshaw (Galway), N Daly (Roscommon) 0-1, K McLoughlin (Mayo) 0-2 (frees); A O'Shea (Mayo) 0-1, J Gibbons (Mayo); S Armstrong (Galway) 0-3, E Mulligan (Leitrim) 0-1, C Cregg (Roscommon) 0-3; M Conroy (Mayo) 1-1, P Conroy (Galway) 0-1, D Kelly (Sligo) 1-1. Subs: T Flynn (Galway) for O'Shea (8 mins), O'Shea for Flynn (11 mins), D Cummins (Galway) for Kelly (47 mins), Kelly for Cummins (55 mins), M Brehony (Sligo) for Kelly (65 mins), E Concannon (Galway) for M Conroy (65 mins), G Reynolds (Leitrim) for Bradshaw (65 mins), N Ewing (Sligo) for McDermott (67 mins).
ULSTER: N Morgan (Tyrone) 0-1 (free); E McGee (Donegal), N McGee (Donegal), C Clarke (Tyrone); S L McGoldrick (Derry), R McCluskey (Fermanagh), P Harte (Tyrone); S Cavanagh (Tyrone) 0-1 (free), E Donnelly (Fermanagh); C Mackey (Cavan), M Poland (Down) 0-1, C Cavanagh (Tyrone) 1-0; E Keating (Cavan), M Murphy (Donegal) 0-1 (free), C McManus (Monaghan) 0-3 (0-3 frees). Subs: K Hughes (Monaghan) for Keating (12 mins), M McHugh (Donegal) for MacKey (30 mins), C McKaigue (Derry) for McCluskey (black card, 44 mins), D Gibney (Cavan) for Donnelly (46 mins), K McKernan (Down) for Cavanagh (52 mins).
Referee: D O'Mahoney (Tipperary).