Ulster Senior League 3 Leinster Senior League 1
The Ulster Senior League select began their bid to retain the Michael Ward Trophy in perfect fashion tonight.
Peter Moran’s team overcame Leinster at Mayfield thanks to a fine display in difficult conditions in the opening game at the FAI Intermediate Interprovincials.
Mark Moran, Paul McVeigh and Ryan Varma netted for the USL side, who will now go into the remainder of the weekend with confidence soaring.
They led after just 16 minutes when Cockhill’s Moran was put through on the left-hand side and the former Finn Harps player sent a magnificent left-footed effort high into the Leinster net past Andy McNulty.
Leinster leveled things up, but McVeigh ensured that the USL had the advantage at the break.
Conor Keddy provided the assist and McVeigh made no mistale with a superb finish.
Due to the wet conditions by the Lee, the game was moved to the astrotuf pitch at Mayfield Park.
They made the long journey from Donegal this morning, but showed no travel sickness and they added a third in the second half as Cockhill duo Ronan Doherty and Varma combined.
Doherty crossed wonderfully and Varma sent a brilliant header to the Leinster net to seal an impressive win.
The USL take on Connacht tomorrow afternoon at 1.30pm in a game that has been moved to the all-weather pitch at Douglas Hall before they meet the hosts, Munster, on Sunday at Turner’s Cross.
In tonight’s other game, Shane Daly-Butz of UCC scored the only goal of the game as Munster overcame Connacht.
Ulster Senior League: Harry Doherty (Cockhill Celtic); Gareth Breslin (Bonagee United), Conor Tourish (Letterkenny Rovers), Peter Doherty (Cockhill Celtic), Jason Breslin (Cockhill Celtic); Aidan McCauley (Bonagee United), Derek Doherty (Cockhill Celtic), Ronan Doherty (Cockhill Celtic), Conor Keddy (Cockhill Celtic); Mark Moran (Cockhill Celtic), Paul McVeigh (Letterkenny Rovers).
Subs used: Sam Todd (Derry City Reserves), Chris Flanagan (Letterkenny Rovers), Jack Blake (Derry City Reserves), Ryan Varma (Cockhill Celtic), Stephen Duffy (Derry City Reserves), Rory Kelly (Letterkenny Rovers).
Results – FAI Intermediate Interprovincial Tournament
Ulster Senior League 3 Leinster Senior League 1
Munster Senior League 1 Connacht 0
Fixtures
Saturday, October 15
1.30pm
Ulster Senior League v Connacht Douglas Hall
3.30pm
Munster Senior League v Leinster Senior LeagueO’Shea Park, Blarney
Sunday, October 16, 10.45am
Leinster Senior League v Connacht Ringmahon Park
Munster Senior League v Ulster Senior League Turner’s Cross
