A dramatic 45 foot birdie putt on the 18th green at Fota Island last evening by Ulster’s Ben Best foiled Connacht of a famous victory on the second day of the Interprovincial Championship. The match ended 5½ points apiece, leaving Leinster, who defeated Munster 8-3, the favourites to retain the title when they take on Ulster in today’s decider.

Tiarnan McLarnan and Eugene Smith, both 23, and Robin Dawson, 20, and Alex Gleeson, 21, have qualified to meet in this morning’s semi-finals of the AIG Irish Close Championship at Tramore.