The Ulster U18s produced a dramatic fourth quarter comeback to beat Munster 5-3 in yesterday’s final Interprovincial game at Comber Road.
Mark Evans’ side were trailing 3-2 going into the final quarter before late goals from Ewan Hutchinson (2) and Ethan Redford sealed the win.
After sustained Ulster pressure, the first chance of the game came with ten minutes played when Ewan Hutchinson cut in from the left wing but sent his effort wide of the far post.
Then, with just two minutes remaining in the quarter, Ulster made their pressure pay.
Seb Holley combined well with Isaac Kelso before picking out James Barbour in the circle, and the Cookstown defender fired past the Munster goalkeeper with a well-taken reverse effort.
At the beginning of the second quarter, it was Munster on the attack with Benji Patterson immediately called into action, making a good save with his feet to maintain the Ulster lead.
With five minutes gone in the quarter, it was Ulster who got the games second goal, doubling our advantage.
Jack Magowan picked the ball up on the Munster byline before driving at goal and squeezing his effort in at the near post for his first goal of the Interpros.
Just moments later, it could have been 3-0 to Ulster when Isaac Kelso intercepted a loose pass to break through on goal, but his effort was saved by the feet of the Munster goalkeeper.
Then, in the final stages, Ulster went close once more. Ethan Redford drove forward from midfield, carrying the ball 25 yards into the circle before flashing his effort just wide of the target.
At the beginning of the second half, it was Munster who started quickest.
The visitors immediately launched the attack down the Ulster right before sending a reverse from a tight angle flashing across the face of the goal.
Just two minutes later, the Southern side got a goal back. Winning a penalty corner, a Munster player picked out the bottom right corner with a drag flick to get his side back into the tie.
As the quarter progressed, it was Munster who sustained their pressure on the Ulster goal and soon drew level.
Winning back-to-back penalty corners, the visitors made the second one count, once again picking out the bottom right corner with a drag-flick effort.
Things continued to go in the way of the resurgent Munster side as Frank Hollway was shown a green card, and they were awarded another corner. However, on this occasion, Benji Patterson was able to make a great save to his left using an outstretched leg.
With the sides level heading into the final quarter, Munster completed their comeback just 30 seconds into the period.
Awarded a penalty stroke, the Munster forward converted into the bottom left corner with Sam Holmes guessing right but unable to get a decisive touch.
However, as the quarter progressed, the momentum began to swing back in Ulster’s favour.
First, the visitors were shown a yellow card before Ewan Hutchinson drew Ulster level once more with nine minutes remaining.
A quickly taken free from Ethan Redford saw the ball played wide to Thomas Barbour, who in turn picked out Hutchinson inside the circle, and his reverse effort found the far bottom corner to set up a tense closing stages.
The drama continued just seconds later after Matt Barrett did well to win another corner in favour of Ulster, and his side made it count.
Captain Ethan Redford’s drag flick found the bottom left corner, giving his side the lead going into the final minutes of the tie before Ewan Hutchinson rounded off the scoring with his second of the game.