INTERPROVINCIAL FOOTBALL FINAL - Munster 1-9 Connacht 0-7:MUNSTER CLAIMED their first interprovincial title since 1999 as they held off the challenge from Connacht. Strong performances from Tomás and Maurice O'Gorman was crucial. Tomás, playing in the half-back line, scored a goal in the opening half for the eventual winners.

This was backed up with some fine scores from Daniel Goulding (two) and former Australian Rules target Ian Ryan.

Munster held a seven-point lead at the interval, 1-6 to 0-2, but, however, there was to be a spirited second-half display from Connacht with Conor Mortimer and Alan Dillon sending over points with effortless grace. The introduction of Galway star Joe Bergin also gave them a huge lift but Munster had already done enough groundwork to ensure victory.

MUNSTER:P Fitzgerald; D Duggan, J McCarthy, P Reidy; T Ó Se, S Lavin, T OGorman (1-0); J Galvin, A O'Connor; P Kelly, N Murphy, M O'Gorman; D Goulding (0-4 one free), D O'Connor (0-3), I Ryan (0-2, two frees). Subs: R Costigan for OGorman (43 mins), J Hayes for OConnor (49 mins), E Rockett for M OGorman (60 mins), S ODonoghue for Kelly (60 mins).

CONNACHT:D Clarke; G Bradshaw, T Cunniffe, C Harrison; P Gardiner, D Blake, J Nallen; R McGarrity, M Finneran; A Moran (0-1), P Harte, A Dillon (0-2); C Mortimer (0-2, frees), D Maxwell, E Mulligan. Subs: J Bergin for Maxwell (29 mins), G Heneghan (0-2, frees) for Mulligan (42 mins), D Kelly for Mortimer (48 mins).

Referee:T Quigley (Dublin).