It was a busy weekend for Ulster as they played the junior hurling semifinal on Saturday evening followed by the senior semi on Sunday. Contrasting results, though, with the junior side comprehensive winners over an over-matched but battling Bronx side.
Luke Loughlin was the star of these wars, brilliant from frees while also helping himself to a number of scores from play. The Bronx could never get to terms with him, with Darren Doherty and Garret McFettridge also having outstanding games.
Ulster started brightly and was ahead 1-9 to 0-3 15 minutes in before the Bronx had their best spell. It arrived courtesy of excellent free taking from Andy Shanager and good open field play from Richie Hartnett and Jason Daly.
Before the half arrived Ulster had settled and added a further 1-3 to their total with John Broderick snatching the goal to lead at the break 2-12 to 0-11.
Goals from Loughlin and McFettridge padded their total in the third quarter and the long range points started to flow. Impressive defensive play from Teague, Hatzer and Dermot Harrington, who made two tremendous stops on goal-bound shots, nullified threats from the Bronx and the winners cruised into the junior final for the second year in a row.
Ulster: 1 Dermot Harrington, 2 Ciaran McLenny, 4 Chris Teague, 5 Conor McGorman, 6 Peter Hatzer, 7 Cathal McHenry, 8 Darren Doherty, 9 Garret McFettridge, 10 Benny Tornsey, 11 Luke Loughlin, 12 Ian Gibbs, 13 John Broderick, 15 John Paul Murphy.
Bronx: 1 Eddie Hogan, 2 Ciaran O’Keefe, 4 Brian Melia, 5 Brendan Blackwell, 6 Richie Hartnett, 7 Matt Schumacher, 8 Willie Kelleher, 9 Jason Daly, 10 Pa McMahon, 11 Dermot Coffey, 12 Andy Shanager, 13 Aiden Tansey, 15 Rob Lowery.
Man of the Match: Luke Loughlin (Ulster).
Referee: Eugene Kyne.
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