Banbridge fancied to keep shield in Ulster

The 2012 cups and shields get off to flying start at Kinsale Golf Club today with the Barton Shield semi-finals.

Sponsored by Chartis Europe, the national finals get underway at the Cork club, which celebrates its centenary this year, with NUI Maynooth, representing Leinster in the foursomes, taking on Munster champions Doneraile, followed by Ulster’s Banbridge against Connacht champions Galway.

Banbridge will be slight favourites to keep the shield in Ulster after Warrenpoint’s victory last year at Castlerock, but NUI Maynooth, coached by the GUI’s national coach Neil Manchip, have serious ambitions.