Leinster trio in line for title tilt in Athlone

LEINSTER include the three outstanding players of the amateur season so far — Shane Lowry, Niall Kearney and Paul O’Hanlon — in their side for the Interprovincial Championship getting under way at Athlone tomorrow.

O’Hanlon captured the Irish Close Championship and reached the final of the South of Ireland; Lowry won the West and North Championships as well as the Mullingar Scratch Trophy at the weekend while Kearney was crowned South of Ireland champion at Lahinch last week.

Leinster will start strong favourites to regain the title given that they also include players like Eoin Arthurs, Simon Ward and Dara Lernihan.