Tralee carry Munster hopes in Barton Shield

The GUI’s annual AIG Cups and Shields All-Ireland finals look primed to get off to a blistering start this morning when Munster champions Tralee meet Connacht kingpins Galway in the first Barton Shield semi-final.

Five national green pennants will be played for over the next four days at Carton House in Co. Kildare, the final renewal of a four-year run at the home of the governing body for men’s golf in Ireland. And the Barton Shield, the foursomes competition for two pairs of scratch players will provide plenty to whet the appetite for this festival of interclub golf.

Both of last year’s finalists are back for a second consecutive year with Warrenpoint defending their title and Galway, also Senior Cup semi-finalists this week, out to avenge their defeat of 12 months ago with the last-four draw keeping them apart and keeping alive the possibility of a rematch in Thursday’s decider.