Munster claim opening day double in interpros

MUNSTER got off to the best possible start on the opening day of the senior and boys interprovincial championships at Rosses Point yesterday.

The senior side caused a big upset by outscoring Leinster 6½-4½, while the boys had a single point to spare over Ulster.

The northern province has been dominant in most of the recent senior championships but may well struggle this time round given the absence of their top two players, Paul Cutler and Alan Dunbar, both required by the British & Irish Walker Cup team for trials at Royal Aberdeen.

Indeed, the Ulster seniors had to work hard to force a halved match, 5½ points each, with Connacht, who gained a well merited share of the spoils when local player Barry Anderson defeat Wayne Telford on the 18th in the final match.

Munster claimed a 2-1 advantage over Leinster after the morning foursomes, youthful Cork golfer Ian O’Rourke playing an important part when partnering the experienced Pat Murray to a home green win over Rory McNamara and Brian Casey.

The afternoon session also got off to a bright start for Munster when Niall Gorey and David O’Donovan won at numbers one and three against East of Ireland champion Richard O’Donovan and McNamara and it was also a big help when Sean Barry took a half point from Craig Martin.

Murray shipped a shock 7 and 6 defeat against his Ireland team mate Eoin Arthurs and when Gary O’Flaherty conceded on the 18th against Paul Dunne, there was still some work to be done by the Munstermen. However, Ballybunion’s Ed Stack chipped in with a half point against Stephen Walsh and the victory was complete when O’Rourke beat last year’s South of Ireland champion John Greene by 3 and 1.