An unyielding Munster under-18 team and a precocious Leinster under-16 side took the honours in the youth interprovincial championships at Newtown School, Waterford, yesterday. Munster clinched the senior title with a 1-0 win over Ulster, while the Leinster juniors swept to a 5-2 victory over Ulster to finish clear winners in their grade. In emerging as under-18 champions for the first time since 1987, Munster applied total concentration in keeping Ulster at bay, especially after captain Karl Burns had shown his composure in converting a penalty stroke for the only goal of the game in the 25th minute. David Armstrong, Jonathan Quigley and Chris Barnes threatened to achieve a breakthrough for Ulster but Burns, John Hobbs and Dave Hobbs were particularly effective in closing the game down, while Philip Smith and Stephen Teap ensured that there was a much stronger midfield performance than on Saturday, when Munster had succumbed 2-1 to the Ulster side in their first meeting of the tournament.

The Leinster and Ulster under-16 sides drew 1-1 in their first match on Friday but yesterday Leinster tore away from the start with Stephen Blake-Knox putting them ahead inside a minute. There was a quick reply from Mark Gleghorne, but Ronan Gormley immediately made it 2-1 before Blake-Knox scored again, followed by two crisply taken goals by David Roche either side of half-time.

The Leinster under-18s, after an uninspiring day on Saturday, finished strongly to beat Ulster 4-2. Spurred by Alan Giles, they earned second place in the senior grade and struck claims, notably in attack, for places in the Ireland squad. The marksmen were Brian McMahon, Carl Breaden, Giles and John Blakeney, with Michael Adams and Armstrong replying for Ulster. On the adult front, Avoca moved into second place in the Leinster Senior League behind Pembroke Wanderers by beating Three Rock Rovers 3-2 at Rathdown on Saturday. Liam Canning reappeared for Rovers, sending Christian Judd through for two of his goals, but Avoca rallied for Graham Dowling, David Hanna and Colm Brady to earn full points.