Munster are the defending champions at the Men’s Interprovincial Championship in Tullamore (28-30 August)
To the home county of Ireland’s latest champion
golfer then, for this year’s Interprovincial Championship.
Tullamore Golf Club has been the toast of major wins
for Ireland’s finest over many years and the highly regarded Offaly course will
this year hold the provinces in thrall as they seek championship glory.
The Men’s Interprovincial Championship, from 28 to
30 August, will see defending champions, Munster, pursue back to back titles
for the first time since 1997. Last year’s thrilling victory in Athenry broke
Leinster’s stranglehold as Munster beat the reigning champions 6.5-4.5.
“There is massive rivalry among the provinces,”
explained Michael Coote, returning Munster captain. “Leinster are always the
ones to beat.”
Leinster looked on course to complete four in a row
at the Interpros when they took a 3-1 lead from the final day foursomes against
Munster. But the southern challengers turned the tables in dramatic fashion.
“We won 5.5 points from seven singles,” Coote
recalled. “That’s unheard of. The spirit of the team was incredible.”
Mallow’s James Sugrue, who went on to win The
Amateur Championship this summer, led the Munster fightback. Sugrue trailed in
the top match against Leinster number one, Caolan Rafferty, but turned it
around to win his match on 18.
“I walked away from James Sugrue’s match because he
was in trouble after 13,” Coote revealed. “Next I heard, he won two holes in a
row. It was like a wave of wins then.”
Waterford’s Eanna Griffin followed suit, winning on
18 against Robbie Cannon. Further points came courtesy of Douglas powerhouse
Peter O’Keeffe (4&3) and Cork ace John Hickey (3&2). Ultimately, the
championship was decided when the nerveless Geoff Lenehan (Portmarnock) holed
out for a one hole win against Alan Fahy (Dun Laoghaire).
“It was a sweet, sweet victory,” said Coote, who has
six of last year’s side for the trip to Tullamore. “For the players, the
Interpros is a huge thing.
Veteran Pat Murray (Clontarf) returns to the Munster
side for 2019. South of Ireland champion Sean Desmond (Monkstown) and Greg
O’Mahoney (Fota Island) have been rewarded for their impressive form this
season.
Ulster, who finished second in 2019, are chasing a
first win at the Interpros since 2013. Their side is spearheaded by Ireland
international, Tiarnán McLarnon (Massereene). McLarnon has an enviable match
play record and was Ireland’s leading player at the Home Internationals in
2018, winning a maximum six points. Ulster Stroke Play champion, Colm Campbell
(Warrenpoint), returns to the fold after a year out injured.
Connacht count AIG Irish Close champion, Ronan
Mullarney, among their eight man line up. Mullarney, the pride of Galway Golf
Club following that Close success, is the leading light for his province too.
“The
Interpros is one of my favourite weeks of the year,” said the 23 year old.
“There is a lot at stake.”
On home soil, Leinster will be hungry to regain
their crown. Three in a row champions from 2015 to 2017, the eastern province
will be able to call on Naas star Rob Brazill, who recently won the Bridgestone
Order of Merit. Brazill, Alan Fahy (Dun Laoghaire) and Robert Moran (Castle) are
the returning players from last year’s side.
Play commences at Tullamore on Wednesday 28 August.
Each match consists of four foursomes and seven singles. The champions,
Munster, play Connacht and Ulster face Leinster on the opening day.
Teams
– Interprovincial Championship (28-30 August, Tullamore)
Connacht:
Sean Flanagan (Portmarnock), TJ Ford (Co Sligo), Harry Gillivan (Westport),
Allan Hill (Athenry), Joe Lyons (Galway), Jack McDonnell (Forest Little), Ronan
Mullarney (Galway), Simon Walker (Roscommon).
Leinster: Paul O’Hanlon (Carton House), Keith Egan
(Carton House), Rob Brazill (Naas), Rowan Lester (Hermitage), Hugh Foley (Royal
Dublin), Alan Fahy (Dun Laoghaire), Robert Moran (Castle), Gerard Dunne (Co
Louth).
Munster: Cathal Butler (Kinsale), Sean Desmond
(Monkstown), Eanna Griffin (Waterford), Geoff Lenehan (Portmarnock), Pat Murray
(Clontarf), Andrew Mc Cormack (Castletroy), Peter O’Keeffe (Douglas), Greg
O’Mahony (Fota Island).
Ulster: Reece Black (Hilton Templepatrick), Colm
Campbell (Warrenpoint), Jordan Hood (Galgorm Castle), Matthew McClean (Malone),
Marc McKinstry (Cairndhu), Tiarnán McLarnon (Massereene), William Small
(Tandragee), Rory Williamson (Holywood).
