Jones set to lead Portrush defence

IRISH international Helen Jones will lead Royal Portrush in defence of the Suzuki Irish Senior Cup at Athlone on Friday.

They beat 2000 and 2002 champions County Louth in last year's final at Blainroe and will bring the same five players who were victorious along with Roma English.

The other District qualifiers are Killarney, Kilkenny and Roscommon.

Portrush have been drawn to play Roscommon on Friday in the play-off for a place in the semi-finals.

The draw is seeded according to the aggregate handicaps of the best five players on each team. County Louth's total is 16. The other four teams each have a total of 21.

The count then went to the aggregate of the best four players leaving Kilkenny (16) with a place in the semi-finals. The other three aggregated 15 matching each other player for player. It then went to a lottery and Killarney were drawn to play Kilkenny. Roscommon and Portrush will play-off for a semi-final place against County Louth.

The Baltray club will be led by Lancome Irish Close Champion Deirdre Smith, who has been recalled to the Irish team for the Home International Championship at Royal Porthcawl (September 8-10). Maria Dunne, a member of last year's victorious Irish team at Cruden Bay, is also included.

Eileen Rose Power has recovered from the back problem that forced her to withdraw from the Munster team in the interprovincial championship and will play at number one for Kilkenny. Tracey Eakin has also recovered from injury and will lead Killarney.

Former international Deirdre Walsh, who has played for Milltown in the past, returns for Roscommon.

COUNTY LOUTH: D Smith, M Dunne, P Delaney, J Gannon, S Mullaney, J Quinn, K Yates.

KILKENNY: E Rose Power, M Dowling, R Lennon, M Leahy, E Crotty, A Smee, O Dunphy.

KILLARNEY: T Eakin, M Sheehy, A Ladd, J Cronin, M Hayes, D Prendergast, A Mulcahy.

ROYAL PORTRUSH: H Jones, G Hegarty, N Quigg, M Diamond, C Smyth, R English.

ROSCOMMON: D Walsh, S Benedetti, D Judge, M Seymour, P Quinn, A Farrell, An McCormack.

Draw: Friday: Play-off 2.00 pm Royal Portrush v Roscommon. Saturday: semi-finals 8.00 am County Louth v winners Royal Portrush and Roscommon; 8.50 am Kilkenny v Killarney.

Final: 2pm.