The Ulster U16 and U18 boys got their interprovincial campaigns off to a mixed start with one win and one draw each in their opening games.
Both teams suffered defeats in their first games against Leinster before getting their first points of the competition, beating Munster.
The first game of the day saw the U16s beaten 2-0 by Leinster despite a positive performance.
Matthew Bell’s side got off to a quick start, winning the first penalty corner of the tie with just four minutes on the clock before Josh Ferguson saw his effort charged down by the first runner and deflected just over the crossbar.
Despite the positive start from Ulster, it was Leinster who took the lead after seven minutes. Breaking down the right and attacking the baseline, Leinster saw their first effort of the game saved before the rebound fell kindly for a forward to score the opening goal of the competition.
Following the goal, the Ulster pressure continued as Noah Cuddy went closest for his side midway through the second quarter when he saw his effort cleared off the line by a defender.
With the game entering the closing stages, the hosts continued to push forward and looked like the side who were most likely to get the game’s next goal.
Instead, it was the visitors who doubled their lead in the closing stages as a crash ball into the circle was smartly deflected into the far corner for Leinster to seal a 2-0 win.
In the U18s tie, it was Leinster who took another early lead, but this time they were pegged back before the end of the first quarter as Ed Irwin got his first goal of the Interpros, converting with a drag flick from a penalty corner.
However, after 27 minutes, Ulster were behind once more. Having won a penalty corner, Leinster saw their first two efforts well saved by goalkeeper Sam Holmes before finally converting on the third attempt to restore their lead.
Ten minutes later there was a great chance for Ulster to draw level once more as Ethan Redford intercepted a loose pass by the Leinster centre back before running through on goal, only to be denied by the goalkeeper.
As the game continued, Ulster created a handful of chances, but were unable to find a way through the stubborn visiting defence as they fell to a narrow 2-1 loss.
In the first of the evening’s games, the U16s got their first win of the 2025 Interpros, beating Munster 3-2.
The side were rewarded for a period of early pressure, winning a penalty stroke with five minutes on the clock following a foot on the line before Noah Cuddy converted from the spot to give his side the lead.
However, after a good response to falling behind, Munster immediately drew level with a drag flick into the bottom left corner just two minutes later.
An exciting first quarter continued as Ulster were in front once more. A turnover in midfield saw the ball played out right to Cuddy before he picked out Jamie Lunn in the circle, and his reverse effort restored the lead at the end of Q1.
With 28 minutes gone, the home lead was doubled as the side won a penalty corner before Cuddy and Josh Ferguson combined on the edge of the circle, before the latter’s effort was fired into the bottom corner.
After a strong performance, the side could have scored more goals, but instead it was Munster who grabbed a late goal to round off a five goal thriller.
The final game of the day saw the U18s also beat Munster, securing a 2-0 win.
Mark Evans’ side had plenty of chances throughout the first half but couldn’t find a breakthrough until the 39th minute of the tie.
Like their opening game, it was Ed Irwin who found the game’s opening goal, converting another penalty corner to finally break the deadlock.
Just ten minutes later Harry Thompson doubled the lead after another penalty corner.
A loose ball in the circle fell for the injector at the penalty spot before his effort was fired through the legs of the goalkeeper, sealing a 2-0 win for the side.