Ulster secure grand slam in style

ULSTER justified pre-tournament favouritism at Douglas yesterday when they defeated Leinster 7½-5½ on the final day of the Golfsure Interprovincial Championship to complete the grand slam and regain the title they last held in 2006.

It was a convincing victory for an Ulster team containing a number of young players likely to be heard in the professional game in the not too distant future. Paul Cutler and teenager Alan Dunbar stand out in that respect and high hopes are also entertained for Paul O’Kane.

Ulster are certainly producing a steady stream of quality golfers capable of following in the footsteps of the likes of Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy, Michael Hoey and Gareth Maybin.

Meanwhile, Munster struggled once again and defeat by Connacht yesterday meant that they were left propping up the table. Having fought back well on Thursday to force a tie with Leinster, they were beaten 7-6 by the westerners.

The stage was nicely set for the nine afternoon singles when Ulster and Leinster finished level 2-2 after the morning foursomes. Leinster came out on top in the two matches that went to the 18th, Cian Curley and Craig Martin performing particularly well to edge out the powerful combination of Cutler and Connor Doran.

The afternoon singles were closely contested for the most part with Ulster showing up well early on, Leinster then seeming to edge in front, before the better balanced northern side came again. They wrapped up each of the first four points with Cutler getting home at the 16th against Andrew Hogan and Dunbar, Doran and O’Kane winning tight matches on the 18th.

Leinster ticked away nicely in the middle order where James Fox, James Monaghan and Dara Lernihan came up trumps but at the end of the draw, Darren Crowe forced a half from his clash with Rory McNamara while Luke Lennox was always in control against Des Morgan and Ulster’s victory was complete when he finished it off at the 15th.

The battle for minor places saw Connacht jump into a 3-1 foursomes lead over the home province and do just about enough in the afternoon to edge home by 7-6. Alan Glynn played a key role in the top singles when he came from behind to beat Pat Murray on the 18th and others to deliver for the underdogs were Gary McDermott, Tommy McGowan and Damien Coyne although Aaron O’Callaghan, Ian O’Rourke, Karl Bornemann, Stephen Loftus and Tim O’Mahony all won for Munster who actually “won” this session by 5-4.