Leinster favourites to retain Ladies Interprovincial title
Leinster look to defend their Ladies Interprovincial title when the three-day tournament starts at Headfort Golf Club, Kells, Co Meath, on August 2-4.
Although missing their Curtis Cup stars Tara Delaney and Martina Gillen, Leinster are attempting a formidable three-in-a-row and look the strongest side to line out at Headfort.
The province has dominated the championship since 1964 with a total of 27 outright victories compared to Munster’s five and Ulster’s four titles. Their historic eight-in-a-row was brought to end by Munster in 2002, but Leinster captain Therese O’Reilly is quietly confident that her charges will build on last year’s success,
“With the experienced Maura Morrin, Deirdre Smith and Sinead Keane in our ranks, we’ll be tough opponents once again this year” she said.
Curtis Cuppers Claire Coughlan and Tricia Mangan will be absent from the Munster line-up who have also been depleted by the unavailability of the Girls International players. Munster Champion Marian Riordan and an in-form Catherine Tucker will lead the southern attack while.
Dark horses Connacht once again field a young side, including underage Internationals Fiona Carroll, Emma Gilmore, Anne McCormack and Sinead O’Sullivan. The form of fourth member Niamh Kitching, who recently fired a 65 at The Curragh Scratch Cup, may have Connacht’s opponents worried.
Ulster once again will look to the experienced Helen Jones in a side that welcomes back double-winning Irish Champion Alison Coffey who returns to interprovincial action after a break of five years. Like Munster, the side is depleted by players selected on the Girls International team, but have 2005 Girls Champion Danielle McVeigh in their armoury.
This year’s tournament takes place on the challenging new course at Headfort and with a par 72 track over 6,329 yards, Friday’s winners will be worthy winners of the Championship now in its 42nd year.
Fixtures:-
Wednesday, August 2
Munster v Ulster (9am and 1.30pm)
Connacht v Leinster (9.20am and 2.30pm)
Thursday, August 3
Leinster -v- Ulster (9am and 1.30pm)
Connacht -v- Munster (9.20am and 2.30pm)
Friday, August 4
Ulster -v- Connacht (8am and 12.30pm)
Munster -v- Leinster (8.20am and 1.30pm)
Teams:
CONNACHT- Pat Farrell (Capt), Helen Sweeney (Mgr)
Fiona Carroll (Athenry), Suzanne Corcoran (Portumna), Emma Gilmore (Mountbellew), Niamh Kitching (Claremorris), Anne McCormack (Roscommon), Darragh McGowan (Ballybofey/Stranorlar), Sinead O'Sullivan (Galway), Deirdre Walsh (Roscommon/Milltown)
LEINSTER – Therese O’Reilly (Capt), Theresa Morgan (Mgr)
Dawn Marie Conaty (Ashbourne), Karen Delaney (Carlow), Mary Dowling (New Ross), Maria Dunne (Skerries), Jennifer Gannon (Co. Louth), Sinead Keane (Curragh), Maura Morrin (Curragh), Deirdre Smith (Co. Louth)
MUNSTER - Liz Bennett (Capt), Maura McNicholas (Ennis)
Pamela Murphy (Ennis), Gillian O’Leary (Cork/UCC), Karen O'Neill (Douglas), Marian Riordan (Tipperary), Holli Snelling (Killarney), Ailish Thompson (Douglas), Catherine Tucker (Limerick)
ULSTER – Carol Corrigan (Capt), Hilda Percival Price (Mgr)
Alison Coffey (Warrenpoint), Maura Diamond (Royal Portrush), Helen Jones (Strabane), Jenna Kinnear (Belvoir Park), Bronagh Lunny (Belvoir Park), Danielle McVeigh (R.C.D.L.), Nicola Moore (Clandeboye), Naoimh Quigg (City of Derry).
