Victory for Ulster in Golfsure Interprovincial Matches

Holders Ulster bounced back to form in the Golfsure Interprovincial Matches with hard-fought 7-6 over Munster at Co Louth.

Needing a victory to remain in the title race, John White's charges recovered from another shaky foursomes performance by winning five and a half points from the nine singles.

With Leinster crushing Connacht 8 1/2 to 4 1/2, all four provinces go into the final day with one victory apiece and their title hopes intact.

"It was extremely tight but we are delighted to get out with a win today," said Ulster skipper White.

"Year after year we seem to end up playing Leinster on Friday and it is going to be interesting. We are a point or two behind and we need a good win. The foursomes are vital and it is tough to pick a team."

Golfsure Interprovincial Matches, Co Louth:

Ulster 7 Munster 6 (Ulster names first)

Foursomes: R Kilpatrick & C Doran lost to P Murray & P O’Keeffe 1 hole; G Shaw & S Crowe bt K Bornemann & S Moloney 3/2; N Grant & M Sinclair lost to S Power & J Morris 4/3; F Rafferty & P Cutler halved with C McNamara & C Bowe.

Singles: G Shaw bt P Murray 2/1; R Kilpatrick lost to P O’Keeffe 1 hole; C Doran bt S Power 3/1; P Cutler lost to C McNamara 4/3; N Grant halved with J Morris; C McAleavey bt S Moloney 6/5; S Crowe lost to T O’Flynn 3/1; R Leonard bt G O’Flaherty 6/5; M Sinclair bt K Bornemann 3/2.

Leinster 8 ½ Connacht 4 ½ (Leinster names first):

Foursomes: S Lowry & P O’Hanlon halved with J Lyons & C O’Malley; C Curley & N O Briain bt M Lavelle & G McDermott 2/1; N Kearney & N Gorey bt D Scully & D Coyne 3/2; A Hogan & S Grant lost to C O’Connor & K McDonagh 1 hole.

Singles: S Lowry bt J Lyons 3/2; S Ward lost to C O’Malley 1 hole; P O’Hanlon bt M Lavelle 5/4; C Curley bt G McDermott 2 holes; N Kearney bt D Scully 4/3; N Gorey bt D Coyne 4/3; D Lernihan lost to C O’Connor 3/1; S Grant lost to K McDonagh 1 hole; N O Briain bt T McGowan 5/4.

Previous results: Connacht 8, Ulster 5; Munster 7 ½, Leinster 5 ½.

Standings: Leinster 1 pt (14 matches); Munster 1 (13 1/2); Connacht 1 (12 1/2); Ulster 1 (12).

Friday: Ulster v Leinster; Connacht v Munster.