Munster’s big guns take aim at Irish doubles at Shannon

Muskerry, Limerick and Doneraile are chasing elusive doubles at this weekend’s Munster finals of the AIG Irish Senior and Junior Cups, along with the Barton Shield, at Shannon Golf Club.

Limerick and Tramore have a rich pedigree in the Senior Cup and will be joined in the race for honours by Castlemartyr and Doneraile, both yet to land a national pennant.

Limerick completed the Senior Cup-Barton Shield double at Tramore in 1976 with a squad containing Vincent Nevin and Jackie Harrington and are again positioned to claim provincial glory in both events this weekend.

Tramore also captured both trophies at Killarney in 1992, when their side was spearheaded by internationals Michael Burns and Eddie Power, and also included Peter Power and John Mitchell, both of whom are members of Owen Kavanagh’s squad for Sunday.

Irish international Robin Dawson will be a key man as Tramore tackle Doneraile, while former Irish Close and South of Ireland champion Pat Murray will be a major figure for Limerick in their clash with Castlemartyr.

The East Cork club pulled off a series of upsets on the way through the South Munster area, including a win over tournament specialists Cork over their own Little Island course.

They will again need a significant contribution from the likes of Mark Shanahan, Kieran McCarthy, Kenny McGarry, Dave Barry and John O’Brien if they are to progress to the national finals at Carton House next month.

Niall Gorey, Dave O’Donovan, Daniel Hallissey and John Waldron will be to the forefront for Muskerry in the Barton Shield.

A youthful Ballybunion side provides the semi-final opposition, with the other match involving Dungarvan, and Limerick with Pat Murray as always their driving force.

The Junior Cup often provides some of the most intensive competition and expect that to be the case in Saturday’s matches between Doneraile and West Waterford and Castletroy and Muskerry, with the final that afternoon.