The Ulster U16 and U18 girls’ sides continued their 2024 Interprovincial campaigns with defeats against Leinster on Sunday.
In a quiet start at Havelock Park, the U16s fixture didn’t see many chances until Hollie Givan flashed two short corners just wide of the far post midway through the second quarter.
Meanwhile, Leinster had their first significant chance of the tie just moments before half-time when they broke on the counter attack before forcing Ulster goalkeeper Katie Dolan into a fine save.
With the scores level at the break, it was Ulster who came out for the second half quickest, taking the lead in the 42nd minute.
Midfielder Katie Leslie broke into the Leinster circle before firing an effort from the top of the circle into the far bottom corner to break the deadlock.
Unfortunately for the young side, two away goals in five fourth quarter minutes saw the travelling opponents turn the game on its head with a late flurry of pressure not enough to draw Ulster level as it finished 2-1.
In the U18s tie it took just eight minutes for the first chance of the game as Erin Pim flashed an effort across the face of goal, testing the Leinster goalkeeper.
However, with the game entering the final stages of the opening quarter, it was Leinster who took the lead with their first chance of the fixture.
After a strong second period, the visitors then doubled their lead on the brink of half-time before Evie Girvan saw an Ulster goal ruled out at the beginning of the second half.
Moments later the home side had the ball in the net once more as Scarlett Taylor scored from a penalty corner, only for her effort to also be ruled out.
A third Leinster goal put the result beyond doubt in the 40th minute of the fixture but the Ulster side continued to push forward as Evie Girvan and Isla Allen both went close on separate occasions.
Ultimately, it wasn’t to be Ulster’s day as the visitors added a fourth goal late on to win the tie 4-0 at Havelock Park.
PHOTO: FRONT ROW UNION
