The fact that Munster had not won the Interprovincial football title in the last nine years meant that they were extra determined to lift the crown and that's exactly what they did against Connacht at Portlaoise on Saturday night. Five points separated the sides at the end and Munster can be pleased with the performance against a strong Connacht side that to be fair never really got going and will be disappointed by their performance. Munster were represented strongly by the so called weaker lights in the province, but each and everyone stood up and was counted as they turned in a determined display to take the title. The eventual winners done all they hard work in the first half as scores by Daniel Goulding, Ian Ryan, Donnacha O'Connor and a goal by Waterford's Thomas O'Connor helped them to a 1-6 to 0-2 lead at half time. Conor Mortimer and Alan Dillon registered Connacht's points. In the second half Connacht came storming back and substitutes Joe Bergin and Ger Heneghan made telling contributions as the lead was cut into with points from Mortimer and Dillon, but the Munster defence held firm as they claimed the title for the 15th time. Scorers for Munster: D Goulding 0-04 (0-01f), D O'Connor 0-03, T O'Gorman 1-00, I Ryan 0-02 (0-01f). Scorers for Connacht: C Mortimer (0-02f), G Heneghan (0-02f), A Dillon 0-02 each, A Moran 0-01. MUNSTER: P Fitzgerald (Tipperary); D Duggan (Cork), J McCarthy (Limerick), P Reidy (Kerry); T O Se (Kerry), S Lavin (Limerick), T O'Gorman (Waterford); J Galvin (Limerick), A O'Connor (Cork); P Kelly (Cork), N Murphy (Cork), M O'Gorman (Waterford); D Goulding (Cork), D O'Connor (Cork), I Ryan (Limerick). Subs used: R Costigan (Tipperary) for T O'Gorman (43 mins), J Hayes (Cork) for A O'Connor (49), E Rockett (Waterford) for M O'Gorman (60), S O'Donoghue (Cork) for Kelly (60). CONNACHT: D Clarke (Mayo); G Bradshaw (Galway), T Cunniffe (Mayo), C Harrison (Sligo); P Gardiner (Mayo), D Blake (Galway), J Nallen (Mayo); R McGarrity (Mayo), M Finneran (Roscommon); A Moran (Mayo), P Harte (Mayo), A Dillon (Mayo); C Mortimer (Mayo), D Maxwell (Leitrim), E Mulligan (Leitrim). Subs used: J Bergin (Galway) for Maxwell (29 mins), G Heneghan (Roscommon) for Mulligan (42), D Kelly (Sligo) for Mortimer (48). Tweet

Most Read Stories