McCarthy bids to derail Ulster
Ulster remain on track to claim their third successive Women’s Interprovincial title at Cork Golf Club following their hard-earned 6-3 victory over Munster on day two of the action yesterday. The title will be decided when they meet Leinster today in what promises to be a terrific showdown.
Leinster registered an 8 ½ to ½ win over Connacht. However, in spite of the margin captain Denise McCarthy from Woodenbridge said the scoreline did not do the westerners justice.
“We had a very tight match against Munster on Wednesday and the scoreline against Connacht belied those matches as well. I think four of them finished on the 18th.
“Ulster are tournament favourites and we have nothing to lose. We are playing very well. Our hope is to stop Ulster doing three-in-a-row.”
Conditions were tricky yesterday, particularly in the afternoon when play was briefly interrupted due to the heavy rain.
Ulster held a narrow 2-1 advantage over Munster after the morning foursomes so both teams set out after lunch with victory still within reach.
The first match between Aoife Lowry and Leona Maguire proved an enthralling encounter before finishing halved on the 18th.
Each of the five remaining matches was tight with Charlene Reid defeating Chloe Ryan, and Jessica Carty getting the better of Sinead Sexton (both 2&1).
Lucy Simpson claimed victory over Jean O’Driscoll, while Sarah Cunningham won Munster’s only match with an eagle on the 15th. Gillian O’Leary was two up after 16 but drove out of bounds on 17. Louise Coffey made a brilliant approach shot under pressure on 18 to win that hole and earn a half overall.
Maguire and Reid get the foursomes under way today against Leinster’s Deirdre Smith and Aedin Murphy.
© This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Friday, April 13, 2012
