A DEADLY BRACE in a two-minute spell in the second half saw the Munster Senior League defeat Donal O’Brien’s Ulster Senior League tonight in the opening game of the FAI Intermediate Inter-provincials.
Ulster Senior League 1 Munster Senior League 2
The USL have won the Michael Ward Trophy in each of the last two years, but they face an uphill battle after falling to defeat at Jackson Park, home of Wayside Celtic.
Letterkenny Rovers’ Paul McVeigh shot the USL men one-nil ahead on 14 minutes, the former Finn Harps attacker firing an unstoppable shot beyond the MSL goalkeeper.
O’Brien’s team were the dominant one in the opening half, but they missed three fine chances to double their lead.
McVeigh was denied in a one-on-one situation while Swilly’s Laurence Toland just got his angles wrong when an opening presented itself and sub Jonny Bonner, who has just recently signed for Letterkenny Rovers, was unfortunate to see an excellent chance fall on his right foot.
Munster drew level when they netted a penalty after Jonathan Minnock was deemed to have commited a foul in the area and the USL were still reeling from that decision when they conceded a quick-fire second.
Cockhill’s Brendan McLaughlin was sent off ten minutes from time for a second bookable offence, but there were still opportunities for the USL to level it.
Gareth Breslin was narrowly off target with a headed effort and Christy McLaughlin’s shot just missed a spot in the top corner.
Tomorrow, the USL face Connacht at Market Green.
Ulster Senior League: Gavin Cullen; Declan Lynch, Jonathan Minnock, Peter Doherty, Gareth Breslin; Laurence Toland, Benny McLaughlin, Malaachy McDermott, Mark Moran, Mark Forker, Paul McVeigh. Subs used: Christy McLaughlin, Jonny Bonner, Stephen Mills, Darren McElwaine.
Tags: