Selectors’ poser for world team event
Captain Eddie Dunne and his selectors are trying to put two body blows behind them in their search for a trio of players capable of representing the country Earlier this year, the prospects of a serious Irish challenge for the trophy looked bright with Graeme McDowell beating the best the US collegiate system could offer and Michael Hoey was also producing the kind of form that marked him out as a special talent.
While it was no real surprise when Hoey opted to turn professional immediately after the Masters in April, the hope was McDowell would delay his move until the end of the year.
That the Rathmore golfer was more than a little right in making the switch after he had completed his studies at the University of Birmingham, Alabama, became abundantly clear at the weekend’s Scandinavian Masters. But that was little consolation to Dunne and his colleagues who had been left with two gaping holes to fill.
Noel Fox, a man with a string of impressive performances behind him in recent years, looked the finished article when winning the East of Ireland at Baltray, with a 14 under par total of 288.
Disappointingly, he has done little since Colm Moriarty of Athlone, a semi-finalist in the West of Ireland at Easter before capturing his first ‘major’ in the South of Ireland last week, also looks a sound bet for inclusion given that, like Fox, he has looked the part in stroke play events such as the Brabazon Trophy and Colm Moriarty of Athlone, a semi-finalist in the West of Ireland at Easter before capturing his first ‘major’ in the South of Ireland last week, also looks a sound bet for inclusion given that, like Fox, he has looked the part in stroke play events such as the Brabazon Trophy and did his cause little good with a poor finish Justin Kehoe, last year’s hugely impressive winner of the ‘South’, remains up there alongside Fox and Moriarty as front runners for Malaysia, especially with youth and fitness vital attributes for a venue where intense humidity is sure to be a major factor.
Ken Kearney is now well into his 30s and probably carrying a few extra pounds but his experience and shot making ability make him a realistic candidate for all that. Furthermore, he finished Mullingar in suffocating and energy sapping heat with rounds of 69 and 68 for a share of third place.
John McGinn of Greenore, the shock winner of the Irish Close at Carlow in June, is unlikely to make the three man team. But he is sure to lead Ireland in the Home Internationals at Royal St Davids, Harlech, on September 11-13 after which the side for Malaysia will be chosen.
The Interprovincial Championship at Slieve Russell on August 14-16 offers the selectors their next opportunity to vet the talent at their disposal.
Justin Kehoe, who plays in the World Student Championship in Thailand at the same time, is a notable absentee from the Leinster side that includes Mullingar Scratch Trophy winner Eoin O’Sullivan.
Connacht, commendably, have gone for youth and with the game in Munster rarely at such a low ebb, the likelihood is that Leinster, the holders, and Ulster will again fight it out for the title.
The teams are: ULSTER - D. Crowe (Dunmurry), J. Foster (Ballyclare), R. Forsythe (Hilton Templepatrick), R. Leonard (Banbridge), A. McCormick (Scrabo), M. McGeady (City of Derry), G. Maybin (Ballyclare), Chris Moriarty (Clandeboye), S. Paul (Tandragee), P. Purdy (Shandon Park). Captain - John Moss (Royal Portrush).
CONNACHT - D. Dunne (Elm Park), N. Kavanagh (Westport), K. Kearney (Roscommon), M. McHugh (Ballinasloe), D. McNamara (Connemara), M. and S. McTernan (both Co Sligo), C. Moriarty (Athlone), M. Rowe (Athlone). Captain, G. McManus (Co Sligo).
MUNSTER - K. Bornemann (Douglas), M. Collins (Sutton), P. Dooley (Cork), D. Finn (Mallow), C. Martin (Nenagh), M. Murphy (Waterville), P. O’Keeffe (Douglas), M. Owens (Mallow), T. Rice (Limerick), D. Sugrue (Killarney). Captain, G. O’Sullivan (Tralee).
LEINSTER - N. Fox (Portmarnock), R. McCarthy (Island), M. McDermott (Stackstown), J. McGinn (Greenore), M. McGinley (Grange), G. McNeill (Waterford), A. Morrow (Portmarnock), E. O’Sullivan (Island), M. Ryan (Grange), L. Ryan (Stackstown). Captain, M. Craddock (Malahide).
The AIB-sponsored Ladies Interprovincial Championship begins at Mount Wolseley, Co Kilkenny, today with Leinster seeking their ninth successive title. The teams are:-
LEINSTER - S. Phillips (Woodbrook), M. Dowling (New Ross), M. Dunne (Skerries), J. Gannon (Co Louth), M. Gillen (Beaverstown), S. Keane (Curragh), M. Morrin (Curragh), D. Smith (Co Louth). Captain, Jackie Quinn.
MUNSTER - C. Coughlan (Cork), S. Galvin (Limerick), B. Gleeson Healy (Killarney), T. Mangan (Ennis), G. O’Leary (Cork), E.R. Power (Kilkenny), M. Riordan (Tipperary & Ballykisteen), M. Sheehy (Tralee). Captain, Evelyn Hearne.
CONNACHT - S. Corcoran (Portumna), S. Gallagher (Claremorris), M. Holmes (Enniscrone), D. Judge (Roscommon), R.cGoldrick (Enniscrone), D. McGowan (Athenry), R. Lennon (Roscommon), T. de Courcy (Connemara). Captain, Helen Sweeney.
ULSTER - E. Dickson (Royal Co Down Ladies), G. Hegarty (Greencastle), H. Jones (Strabane), J. McAuley (Dunmurry), B. McLarnon (Fortwilliam), N. Moore (Clandeboye), N. Quigg (City of Derry), C. Smyth (Massereene). Captain, Claire Robinson.
