Ulster U18 Clubs traveled to the Sportsgrounds on Saturday afternoon to take on Connacht, with the home side emerging 7 point winners in an entertaining contest.
Connacht U18's 17 Ulster U18 Clubs 10
Ulster kicked off the game into a very strong wind and adapted well to the conditions by carrying the ball in their half of the pitch to gain ground and the defence was up very quickly to nullify the opposition’s possession. Ulster were competing well but on the 25 minute mark came under pressure and had to defend on their 5 metre line but Connacht were able to drive over for an unconverted try by hooker Danny Arnold.
Connacht were using the conditions and keeping Ulster in their own half of the pitch in the second quarter, but Ulster were still able on occasions to make ground and on one of these excursions made 50 metres with an inter passing movement up the centre of the pitch into the Connacht 22m area only to concede a penalty and allowing the opposition to return to the Ulster 22, and on half time crossed the Ulster line for a further unconverted try by No 11 Saul O’Carroll, leaving the half-time score Connacht 10 points, Ulster 0.
Connacht kicked off and from the restart Ulster took possession and were now playing with great determination and resolve and came right back into the game with an unconverted captain’s try by Michael O’Neill. The opposition were coping well with the conditions and were able to come back with a try and conversation by No 21 Rob Hennessey to make it 17-5. Ulster had to replace full back Jac Lloyd Evans with Peter McParland and both teams were making substitutions during the second half. Moving into the final quarter Ulster were down but not out and came back with a well taken unconverted try by number 11 Matthew Faulkner to close the gap to 7 points, 17-10. Ulster worked hard for possession and continued to attack the opposition in their 22m area to the end of the game. Unfortunately due to some poor decision making at critical moments and conceding too many penalties Ulster finished losing 17-10 in a hard fought and skilful game in windy weather conditions. Congratulations to Connacht on the day and to the Ulster squad for their total commitment to the game.
1 Aaron Kennedy [V Captain]
2 Paul McGookin
3 Jack McIntosh
4 Conor McMenamin
5 Ryan Morton
6 Conor Maguire
7 Joshua Vanloggerenberg
8 Ben Heath
9 Lee Culbertson
10 John Cooke
11 Matthew Faulkner
12 Evin Crummie [V Captain]
13 Michael O’Neill [Captain]
14 Shane McKeever
15 Jac Lloyd Evans
16 Eoin McDonald
17 Conor Coyle
18 Aaron Michaelides
19 Joshua Fulton
20 Sam Murray
21 Rory McParland
22 Niall McKeating
23 Tyler Millar
Team Management:
Michael Black, Age Grade Manager
Johnny Gillispie Head Coach
Johnny Graham, Coach
Gavin Dunlop S & C coach
Bebhinn Flaherty Physio
Eamon McCormick, Resources
Willie Latimer, Manager
Connacht U18's 17 Ulster U18 Clubs 10
Ulster kicked off the game into a very strong wind and adapted well to the conditions by carrying the ball in their half of the pitch to gain ground and the defence was up very quickly to nullify the opposition’s possession. Ulster were competing well but on the 25 minute mark came under pressure and had to defend on their 5 metre line but Connacht were able to drive over for an unconverted try by hooker Danny Arnold.
Connacht were using the conditions and keeping Ulster in their own half of the pitch in the second quarter, but Ulster were still able on occasions to make ground and on one of these excursions made 50 metres with an inter passing movement up the centre of the pitch into the Connacht 22m area only to concede a penalty and allowing the opposition to return to the Ulster 22, and on half time crossed the Ulster line for a further unconverted try by No 11 Saul O’Carroll, leaving the half-time score Connacht 10 points, Ulster 0.
Connacht kicked off and from the restart Ulster took possession and were now playing with great determination and resolve and came right back into the game with an unconverted captain’s try by Michael O’Neill. The opposition were coping well with the conditions and were able to come back with a try and conversation by No 21 Rob Hennessey to make it 17-5. Ulster had to replace full back Jac Lloyd Evans with Peter McParland and both teams were making substitutions during the second half. Moving into the final quarter Ulster were down but not out and came back with a well taken unconverted try by number 11 Matthew Faulkner to close the gap to 7 points, 17-10. Ulster worked hard for possession and continued to attack the opposition in their 22m area to the end of the game. Unfortunately due to some poor decision making at critical moments and conceding too many penalties Ulster finished losing 17-10 in a hard fought and skilful game in windy weather conditions. Congratulations to Connacht on the day and to the Ulster squad for their total commitment to the game.
1 Aaron Kennedy [V Captain]
2 Paul McGookin
3 Jack McIntosh
4 Conor McMenamin
5 Ryan Morton
6 Conor Maguire
7 Joshua Vanloggerenberg
8 Ben Heath
9 Lee Culbertson
10 John Cooke
11 Matthew Faulkner
12 Evin Crummie [V Captain]
13 Michael O’Neill [Captain]
14 Shane McKeever
15 Jac Lloyd Evans
16 Eoin McDonald
17 Conor Coyle
18 Aaron Michaelides
19 Joshua Fulton
20 Sam Murray
21 Rory McParland
22 Niall McKeating
23 Tyler Millar
Team Management:
Michael Black, Age Grade Manager
Johnny Gillispie Head Coach
Johnny Graham, Coach
Gavin Dunlop S & C coach
Bebhinn Flaherty Physio
Eamon McCormick, Resources
Willie Latimer, Manager