Ulster miss key duo as interprovincials tee off

Ulster’s ambition to win a third consecutive Women’s Interprovincial golf title this week at Cork Golf Club has been dealt a blow with the withdrawal of two of their more experienced players.

Victoria Bradshaw is recovering from a car accident while Lisa Maguire had to pull out with a wrist injury. They are replaced by Tara Gribben and Jessica Carty.

Bradshaw featured in the two previous wins, having made her debut for the province in 2005, while Lisa Maguire would have been making her first appearance having missed out in recent years due to international duties.

However, Ulster still field a strong team for the three-day event that will include Lisa’s twin sister Leona and current internationals Louise Coffey, Paula Grant and Charlene Reid. Grant will be joined on the team by her sister Laura.

Leinster completed six in a row from 2004 to 2009, and will be eager to get back to winning ways. Their selection is a mix of experience and youth with Deirdre Smith, Mary Dowling and Karen Delaney lining up alongside Ireland U18 international, Ariana Coyle Diez.

Munster, who finished second in 2011, show one change from that team, with Sarah Cunningham returning from injury. The Ennis lady is sure to be in fine form following her victory in the Ford Cork Scratch Cup at Cork Golf Club on Saturday.

Incidentally in second place was her Munster team-mate Gillian O’Leary. And there is sure to be massive local support for Jean O’Driscoll, Karen O’Neill and Emma O’Driscoll.

Fiona Carroll is back in the Connacht team and joins seasoned campaigners Anne McCormack, Fiona Hurley Moclair and Suzanne Corcoran, while Clodagh Hopkins also makes her return. Team debutants are Kung Fanning and Sorcha Begley.

The format reverts to the round robin series of foursomes and singles matches this year.

Today

8am (foursomes) & 1pm (singles) Munster v Leinster; Ulster v Connacht

Tomorrow

8am (foursomes) & 1pm (singles)& Connacht v Leinster; Ulster v Munster

Friday

8am (foursomes) & 1pm (singles)& Leinster v Ulster; Munster v Connacht

MUNSTER: Team Captain: Rhona Brennan (Bandon).

Sarah Cunningham (Ennis), Aoife Lowry (Tipperary), Emma O’Driscoll (Ballybunion), Jean O’Driscoll (Muskerry), Gillian O’Leary (Cork), Karen O’Neill (Douglas), Chloe Ryan (Castletroy), Sinead Sexton (Lahinch).

LEINSTER: Team Captain: Denise McCarthy (Woodenbridge).

Anna Courtney (St. Anne’s), Ariana Coyle Diez (Elm Park), Karen Delaney (Carlow), Mary Dowling (New Ross), Maria Dunne (Skerries), Louise Mernagh (Woodenbridge), Aedin Murphy (Carlow), Deirdre Smith (Co. Louth).

ULSTER: Team Captain: Dr Christine Crockett (Royal Co. Down Ladies).

Jessica Carty (Holywood), Louise Coffey (Malone), Laura Grant (Lisburn), Paula Grant (Lisburn), Tara Gribben (Warrenpoint), Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell), Charlene Reid (Royal Portrush), Lucy Simpson (Massereene).

CONNACHT: Captain: Eileen MacMullen (Bundoran).

Suzanne Corcoran (Portumna), Anne Cassidy (Portumna), Anne McCormack (Roscommon), Fiona Carroll (Galway Bay), Kung Fanning (Ballyhaunis), Sorcha Begley (Bundoran), Clodagh Hopkins (Woodbrook), Fiona Hurley Moclair (Ballinasloe).