2009 IRISH WOMEN’S INTER-PROVINCIAL MATCHES
AT ENNISCRONE GOLF CLUB, JULY 29 to 31

LEINSTER BID FOR 6 IN-A-ROW

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY IRISH LADIES GOLF UNION
Leinster will have their sights on a sixth consecutive inter-provincial title when play commences at Enniscrone Golf Club next Wedmesday (July 29).
Enniscrone Golf Club was founded in 1918. The course was redesigned by Eddie Hackett in 1974 and by Donald Steel in 2001 and is one of Ireland's finest authentic golf links. The championship course for the women’s inter-provincials measures 6,275 yards, with a par of 73 and will provide a tough test for competitors in what looks likely to be the most tightly contested series of matches in recent years.
The first inter-provincial matches took place in 1964, with Leinster winning the inaugural series of matches and going on to dominate the championship, wining the trophy on 30 occasions in addition to sharing the title in with Ulster in 1967.
Munster have claimed seven victories over the years with their most recent wins coming in 2002 and 2003 to break the Leinster hold on the trophy from 1994 to 2008.
Leinster field an experienced team which will be led by internationals Aedin Murphy (Carlow) and Mary Dowling (New Ross) with Karen Delaney, Louise Mernagh and Ciara Butler adding strength to the side, while Maria Dunne (Skerries), Sue Philips (Woodbrook) and Deirdre Smith make a welcome return to the eastern team.
Ulster, who last won the trophy in 1989, look likely to be the strongest challengers for the title with the northern side boasting the talents Leinster champion Charlene Reid (Royal Portrush), Ulster champion Victoria Bradshaw (Bangor) and Ulster girls’ champion Tara Gribben in the side.
Niamh Kitching (Claremorris) leads a Connacht team, which includes the Midland champion Sarah Faller (Galway), as they go in search of their first victory in the tournament.
A young Munster side will be led by newly capped international Sarah Cunningham (Ennis) with Gillian O'Leary (Cork) and Catherine Tucker (Limerick) adding experience to the southern outfit.
The current format of the matches sees each of the four teams which consist of eight players, compete over three days in the round-robin series of matches. Each match is contested over three foursomes ties in the morning followed by six singles ties in the afternoon, resulting in nine points being available each day.

FIXTURES
Wednesday, July 29
08:00 & 13:00 Munster –v- Leinster
08:30 & 14:00 Ulster –v- Connacht
Thursday, July 30
08:00 & 13:00 Connacht –v- Leinster
08:30 & 14:00 Ulster –v- Munster
Friday, July 31
08:00 & 13:00 Leinster –v- Ulster
08:30 & 14:00 Munster –v- Connacht

CONNACHT
Fiona Moclair (Capt), Ailbhe Farrell (Mgr)Daryl Conroy (Castlebar), Suzanne Corcoran (Portumna), Sarah Faller (Galway), Emma Gilmore (Mountbellew), Niamh Kitching (Claremorris), Anne McCormack (Roscommon), Darragh McGowan (Ballybofey & Stranorlar), Sinead O'Sullivan (Galway)
LEINSTER
Pat Doran (Capt), Aileen Dawson (Mgr)Ciara Butler (Newlands), Karen Delaney (Carlow)), Mary Dowling (New Ross), Maria Dunne (Skerries), Louise Mernagh (Woodenbridge), Aedin Murphy (Carlow), Sue Philips (Woodbrook), Deirdre Smith (Co. Louth)
MUNSTER
Valerie Hassett (Capt), Val Shannon (Mgr) Sarah Crowe (Tipperary G.C), Sarah Cunningham (Ennis G.C.), Aoife Lowry (TipperaryG.C.), Linda Maher (Charleville) Gillian O'Leary (Cork), Karen O'Neill (Douglas) Catherine Tucker (Limerick), Linda Twomey (Limerick)
ULSTER
Sinead Smyth (Capt), Heather McIvor (Mgr) Victoria Bradshaw (Bangor), Louise Coffey(Malone), Nikki Currie (Clandeboye ), Tara Gribben (Warrenpoint), Caoimhe Quinn(Dungannon), Charlene Reid (Royal Portrush), Lucy Simpson (Massereene Sarah Louise Winter(Carnalea)