Munster ladies are gunning for revenge

CHAMPIONS Leinster are favourites to retain the Ladies Inter-provincial football title in Mullingar this weekend, but Munster are gunning for revenge after losing last year’s final.

The round-robin section in which the four provinces play against each other takes place tomorrow at the St Loman’s grounds, starting at noon, and the finals take place on Sunday.

Munster are back-boned by a large Cork contingent including All-Ireland winning captain Juliette Murphy, Valerie Mulcahy and Elaine Harte, while Waterford All-star Mary O’Donnell is also on the panel.

But they must bid for the title without their dual players — the first round of the camogie championship starts tomorrow.

Munster boss Michael Ryan is hoping his side can go all the way this weekend. “Leinster will be favourites and if they can get all of their players together then they will take some beating,” he admitted.

“We have a strong panel but we have been weakened by the loss of the Cork dual players who are playing camogie. It means we’ll be without the likes of Angela Walsh, Briege Corkery and Mary O’Connor.”

Leinster, managed by former Ballyboden St Enda’s boss Bill Daly, will be captained by Dublin’s Gemma Fay. There will be a large Meath contingent on the team with Mary Sheridan, Irene Munnelly, Gillian Bennett and Geraldine Doherty among the Royals involved.

Connacht may also have a say in where the silverware goes on Sunday evening, with a heavy Mayo and Galway presence on the panel. They can call upon Nuala O’Shea, Aoibheann Daly, Emer Flaherty, Claire Egan, Annette Clarke, Lorna Joyce and Marcella Heffernan.

Ulster could find it difficult to make an impact though and they will need the likes of Nadine Doherty, Niamh Kindlon and Yvonne McMonagle to be in top form.

Ulster last won the title in 2002, while Munster triumphed in 2003 and 2004. Leinster foiled their three-in-a-row bid last year.

Fixtures: Saturday: InterpProvincial tournament at St Lomans, Mullingar: Connacht v Leinster, noon (Pitch 1); Ulster v Munster, noon (Pitch 2); Ulster v Connacht, 1.30pm (Pitch 1); Munster v Leinster, 1.30pm (Pitch 2); Connacht v Munster, 3pm (Pitch 1); Leinster v Ulster, 3pm (Pitch 2).

Sunday: At St Loman’s, Mullingar: Shield Final:11.30am (Pitch 1). Championship Final, 1pm (Pitch 1).