Gaynor wary of Ulster

MUNSTER begin the defence of their Martin Donnelly Inter-provincial hurling championship this afternoon in Fermoy when they face Ulster (1.30pm), followed by the football semi-final between the same two provinces.

Meanwhile in Kiltoom, Co. Roscommon, Leinster and Connacht face off in the other hurling/football double-header, the finals to be played under lights in Portlaoise today week.

It is not the best of timing for the football particularly, one would think, with the International Series in Australia. But such is life nowadays for the poor relation of the GAA. It wasn’t always like that of course, as Munster hurling manager Len Gaynor knows. A three-time winner during his days as a flying wing-back with Tipperary, he accepts that the series has now lost its lustre.