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An empathetic 4-0 semi-final win against Connaught was followed by an equally impressive 2-1 comeback victory against regaining champions Leinster.

It was the 1^st time for five long years that the Ulster team backboned by the Belfast Deaf United squad that play in the Down Area Football League were successful in this tournament.

The Ulster lads settled quickly in their opening match against Connaught, a Cluskey Corner after nine minutes finding the unmarked Mark Sinclair on the edge of the box and the striker fired high into the roof of the net.

Sinclair turned provider 10 minutes later, his teasing left wing cross brilliantly headed into the top corner by Richard Beattie. The Ulster team were playing some scintillating football at this stage and substitute Chris Jones made an instant impact, rising bravely in a crowded penalty area to head home yet another pinpoint corner from Cluskey to leave the half-time score 3-0.

The second half continued in similar vein with Ulster bossing proceedings and the surprise being that only one further goal was registered, a 12 yard drive into the bottom corner by Beattie after good interchange play by Mark Sinclair and Brian Babb.

So onwards it was to face strong favourites Lenister in the final, a team chasing their fourth consecutive inter-provincial deaf football title. Ulster began this game in nervous fashion, going behind on 12 minutes, a wicked deflection finding its way past the despairing dive of Ulster keeper’ Conor Mervyn. The Northern lads to their credit displayed enormous resilience and began to attack the Leinster defence, getting their reward on 22 minutes with a superb individual goal from Mark Sinclair, struck from 25 yards out, and from a tight angle, to equalise.

The Ulster dominance continued with narrow misses from Babb, Jones and Captain Noel O’ Donnell with a powerful header before Sinclair claimed his second from another Cluskey corner to leave the half-time score favouring Ulster at 2-1.

Leinster were not prepared to surrender their crown without a fight however and they began the second half brightly, with O’Donnell, Anthony Sinclair and Cluskey defending resolutely in the face of sustained Lenister pressure. As the half progressed Ulster regained the initiative, Beattie and Bryan Moore hitting top form in controlling the midfield battle with the inspirational Richard Dougherty covering every blade of grass on the pitch.

Ulster created further chances with a Babb goal ruled off-side, Jones going close on two occasions and Dougherty having a close-range shot blocked. At the other end Mervyn did well to confidently deal with a speculative 20 yard shot to preserve Ulster’s lead. A frustrated Leinster team ended the game with 10 men as Ulster ran out deserving 2-1 winners.

The final whistle was greeted with relief and jubilation among the Ulster contingent. Football director Conor Mervyn lavished praise on the Ulster players for their never say die attitude and quality football throughout the tournament. “Our attitude and determination was outstanding from start to finish and the lads really deserved this success,” he enthused.

The Ulster Men’s team were also successful in the five-a-side Futsal competition, with super displays given by Mervyn, Mark Sinclair, Andrew Cochrane and in particular Ulster player of the competition Adam McCormick.

The Ulster Deaf Ladies team came third in their Futsal competition, playing some great football in the process but luck deserting them at crucial stages.

The Ulster Deaf football teams would like to thank Jamie Wilson, Reggie Dornan and Alex Crosseley for helping to coach the players and raising the standard of deaf football in the province with special thanks also to the Irish Football Association, in particular Disability Football Manager Alan Crooks for supporting and developing deaf football in Northern Ireland.