Denim McLaughlin netted a second-half brace today as Ulster clinched the FAI Youth Interprovincial title at Dry Arch Park.
Ulster 4 Connacht 2
McLaughlin’s brace gave Daniel Nolan’s men the silverware following a busy weekend that saw a draw on Friday night with Munster followed up by a win over Leinster yesterday – when centre-back McLaughlin also netted twice.
“It is a tough three days,” Nolan said.
“Preparation was key for them. It was brilliant. They were tiring, but mentally they’ve been superb as well as technically. The attitude in every game was superb.”
Cade Cooke fired Ulster ahead on four minutes after an Ethan Coll shot was saved.
Connacht drew level when Riain O’Connor struck from the penalty spot and they went ahead when Jack Flaherty fired home seven minutes later.
Just before half-time, Coll equalised when he tucked home beautifully after taking control of a cross from the right.
Five minutes into the second-half, McLaughlin put Ulster in front when he rattled in a cracking 25-yard free-kick.
And McLaughlin headed home from a corner with 20 minutes remaining to seal the deal.
On Friday night, Cooke and Pat Loughrey scored in a 2-2 draw with Munster.
McLaughin (2) and Loughrey were on target in the 3-2 win over Leinster on Saturday in Buncrana.
Ulster: Eoin O’Boyle, John Timlin, Pat Loughrey, Ethan Coll, Cade Cooke, Justin McGee, Conor McHugh, Conor O’Donnell, Joseph McGill, Denmin McLaughlin, Ryan Higgins. Subs: Dylan Brolly for Mc Gee (18), Brandon Maneus, Finn McLaughlin and Dylan Molloy for McGill, McHugh and Cooke (all at half-time).
