Leinster and Munster Clinch Interprovincial Titles
Leinster captain, Harry McAlinden, credited his team’s remarkable three-in-a-row interprovincial title streak to their exceptional team spirit.
The reigning champions reclaimed their crown in dramatic fashion at Slieve Russell, while Munster overcame their 2023 heartbreak to win the women’s title.
In the men’s competition, Leinster secured their third consecutive trophy with a nail-biting finish, winning based on matches won or halved, edging out Ulster in the standings. Connacht took third place, and Munster finished fourth.
“It’s an unbelievable achievement,” said McAlinden. “Every year has been tough. In the first year, we won by a point. The second year was a bit easier, but the third year came right down to the wire. You needed a maths degree out there to calculate who was going to win the matches; they were all so tight.
“We pride ourselves on team spirit. We’re here to play golf, to win a championship if possible, but also to enjoy ourselves. The lads know how to do all three. We have fun, we laugh together, and they know each other well from playing on the circuit. They’re a great bunch.”
Friday’s play promised excitement, and Leinster delivered in the men’s section by winning the morning foursomes 3-1. Victories came from Paul Coughlan and Brian Doran, Keith Egan and Adam Smith, and Evan Farrell and Eoin Murphy. In the afternoon, with Ulster still in contention, Leinster dug deep. Wins from Coughlan, Jake Whelan, Doran, and Smith secured the necessary points.
The women’s interprovincials were equally tense.
Munster finished just ahead of the defending champions, Ulster, with Leinster in third and Connacht in fourth.
The decisive match on the final day was between Munster and Ulster. Ulster took the lead with a 2-1 win in the morning foursomes. Molly O’Hara and Judithe Allen secured a crucial 1up win, while Kate Dwyer and Amy O’Donnell were also victorious. However, Munster turned the tide in the afternoon singles. Wins from Mairead Martin, Aideen Walsh, and Anna Dawson set the stage for Valerie Clancy to clinch the title.
“It means the world; it is just absolutely incredible,” said Munster captain Mary Dowling. “My players were fantastic all week. We were pipped at the post last year. This year, we came out very determined, and what a dream come true.
“It was nip and tuck all day, one up, one down. We had a few matches well up early, but on the course, anything can happen. The greens were amazing, and if you ended up on the wrong side, it was easy to three-putt. It’s never over until it’s over. It really was fantastic.
“We thought we might share the foursomes this morning, but a fantastic putt by Ulster grabbed that point. It was a big hill to climb, but maybe it made them more determined. They were fantastic.”
