Connacht shock Ulster to claim first Interpro football crown since 1969

Despite trailing at the break, the Westerners ran out 15-point winners.

Connacht 2-19

Ulster 1-7

A SECOND HALF surge from Connacht this afternoon ensured the province won its first M Donnelly GAA Football Interprovincial Championship since 1969.

Despite playing into a significant breeze in Tuam, Connacht settled the better of the two sides, leading 0-4 to 0-2 inside 18 minutes.

Ulster took control of the half after that though and frees from Conor McManus and Sean Cavanagh meant the sides were level by the 21st minute.

Another McManus place kick gave the Northerners the advantage and their lead was soon four points when Colm Cavanagh raised the green flag; the Tyrone forward pouncing on the rebound after Michael Murphy’s shot was initially saved by Robert Hennelly.

The Mayo shot stopper soon found himself involved at the other end and his 45 and free kick were to prove the final two scores of the first half; meaning Ulster went into the break leading 1-5 to 0-6.

Although Niall Morgan got the first score of the second half for the Northern province, Connacht grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck; scoring 1-6 without reply.

After Cathal Cregg’s point, Michael Conroy found the back of the net before Connacht took advantage of the favourable wind to score point after point from distance.

A second goal — this time from David Kelly — five minutes from time ensured victory for the John Tobin’s men but Ulster will be left to regret scoring just two second half points.

Scorers for Connacht: David Kelly (1-1), Michael Conroy (1-1), Sean Armstrong (0-3), C Cregg (0-3), Kevin McLoughlin (0-3, 1f), Robert Hennelly (0-3, 145, 2fs), Kevin Higgins (0-2), Niall Daly, Aidan O’Shea, Emlyn Mulligan, Paul Conroy (0-1 each).

Scorers for Ulster: Colm Cavanagh (1-0), Conor McManus (0-3, 3fs), Mark Poland (0-1), Niall Morgan, S Cavanagh, Michael Murphy (0-1, 1f each).

CONNACHT: R Hennelly (Mayo); S McDermott (Roscommon), J Moore (Galway), K Higgins (Mayo); G Bradshaw (Galway), N Daly (Roscommon), K McLoughlin (Mayo); A O’Shea (Mayo), J Gibbons (Mayo); S Armstrong (Galway), E Mulligan (Leitrim), C Cregg (Roscommon); M Conroy (Mayo), P Conroy (Galway), D Kelly (Sligo).

Subs: M Brehony (Sligo) for Kelly (65); E Concannon (Galway) for M Conroy (65); G Reynolds (Leitrim) for Bradshaw (65); N Ewing (Sligo) for McDermott (67).

ULSTER: N Morgan (Tyrone); E McGee (Donegal), N McGee (Donegal), C Clarke (Tyrone); S L McGoldrick (Derry), R McCluskey (Fermanagh), P Harte (Tyrone); S Cavanagh (Tyrone), E Donnelly (Fermanagh); C Mackey (Cavan), M Poland (Down), C Cavanagh (Tyrone); E Keating (Cavan), M Murphy (Donegal), C McManus (Monaghan).

Subs: K Hughes (Monaghan) for Keating (12); M McHugh (Donegal) for MacKey (30); C McKaigue (Derry) for McCluskey (Black) (44); D Givney (Cavan) for Donnelly (46); K McKernan (Down) for Cavanagh (52).

Referee: D O’Mahoney (Tipperary).