Sport

Ulster triumph in Paris match

Interprovincial football championship: Ulster 1-13 Leinster 1-8  A drizzly Saturday afternoon at the Stade Yves du Manoir in…

Mon Nov 15 2004 - 00:00

Interprovincial football championship: Ulster 1-13 Leinster 1-8 A drizzly Saturday afternoon at the Stade Yves du Manoir in Paris proved one thing at least, the state of Ulster football is in rude good health.

Things are at a much less advanced stage for the European game but progress is swift, according to GAA president Seán Kelly, who said the decision to stage the interprovincial football final in Paris, won by Ulster for a 27th time, was another vital step towards European integration.

Around 400 people, composed mainly of those who had made the trip from Ireland and local Irish, turned out at the Stade Yves du Manoir to witness Ulster retain their crown with a second-half scoring blitz.

"Hopefully this final and the weekend as a whole will give the game in Paris and across Europe the encouragement it needs," said Kelly.

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"We had the European Board's convention on Friday and this is a great opportunity for them to see that we're committed to our European Gaels."

Ulster had to fight hard for their win after Leinster stormed into an early lead.

Dublin's Alan Brogan hit 1-2 in an early scoring blitz and Leinster led 1-5 to 0-2 at half-time, Paddy Bradley hitting Ulster's two points.

A point from Enda Muldoon and a 33rd-minute Dan Gordan fisted goal left Ulster just two points behind. Points from Down star Gordon and Seán Cavanagh then put the sides level at 1-6 each by the 43rd minute.

It was all Ulster now and their Tyrone contingent ensured that they moved ahead and kept the lead.

Points from Stephen O'Neill put them in the lead for the first time and county colleagues, Cavanagh, Brian McGuigan and Brian Dooher sealed a battling win with fine scores.

LEINSTER: G Connaughton; N McKeigue, D O'Donoghue, K Slattery; B Cullen, T Kelly (0-1), K Fitzpatrick; N Garvan (0-1), N Crawford; E Kelly (0-2; 1 free), P Barden, J Doyle (0-1; 1 free); A Brogan (1-3; 1 free), P Kellaghan, M Forde. Subs: T Walsh for Fitzpatrick 41, P Davis for Forde 44, P Keenan for Kelleghan 47, T Smullen for Slattery 54.

ULSTER: M McVeigh; E McNulty, R Sweeney, N McCready; P McFlynn, B Monaghan, R McMenamin; D Gordan (1-1), M McGrath; B Dooher (0-1), B McGuigan (0-1), S Cavanagh (0-2); S O'Neill (0-3), P Bradley (0-4; 3 free), E Muldoon (0-1). Subs: P Loughran for McGrath 50, R Johnston for McFlynn 57, K Madden for Bradley 58.

Referee: G Kinneavy (Roscommon).