Ulster's strength too deep

Leinster v Ulster Parnell Park, 7.30:  The Martin Donnelly interprovincials have thrived under lights, and a good crowd is expected for this evening's football final, a re-run of last year's in Paris. On the face of it the outcome looks a foregone conclusion, with Ulster's modern domination (tonight the province is going for three-in-a-row and 11 in 16 years) likely to continue.

Having recorded a sound win over Munster in the semi-final, the holders are able to field an even stronger team with the return of internationals and likely All Stars, Seán Cavanagh, Stephen O'Neill and Brian Dooher. Freed of club commitments, Tyrone's Conor Gormley and Armagh's Aaron Kernan are also included.

Leinster, on the other hand, have injury problems, although Laois pair Tom Kelly and Ross Munnelly provide compensation on their return from Australia.

The semi-final defeat of Connacht was a laboured affair that needed an injury-time point to avert a replay.

Whereas Val Andrews's team aren't short of quality, the range of talent available to their opponents is formidable - as underlined by the presence of the likes of Benny Coulter and Ronan Clarke on the bench. Brian McEniff's team are well positioned to make that strength-in-depth pay.

Admission at Parnell Park is a reasonable €7, or €10 for a family ticket.

LEINSTER: F Byron (Laois); M Ennis (Westmeath), B Cahill (Dublin), D Healy (Westmeath); K Slattery (Offaly), T Kelly (Laois), P Andrews (Dublin); C Whelan (Dublin, capt), N Garvan (Laois); A Mangan (Westmeath), C Moran (Dublin), P Clancy (Laois); R Munnelly (Laois), G Geraghty (Meath), J Sherlock (Dublin). Subs: P Kelly (Offaly), J Doyle (Kildare), T Walsh (Carlow), T Gill (Wicklow), L Glynn (Wicklow), S Gerrard (Louth), C Morris (Wexford), D Dolan (Westmeath), B Sheehan (Laois), M Forde (Wexford), S Ryan (Dublin).

ULSTER: J Reilly (Cavan); K McGuckin (Derry), K McCloy (Derry), E McNulty (Armagh); A Kernan (Armagh), C Gormley (Tyrone), A Mallon (Armagh); D Gordon (Down), S Cavanagh (Tyrone); B Dooher (Tyrone), S O'Neill (Tyrone), D Clerkin (Monaghan); T Freeman (Monaghan), P Bradley (Derry), S McDonnell (Armagh). Subs: P Hearty (Armagh), B Owens (Fermanagh), D Diver (Donegal), A O'Rourke (Armagh), C Holmes (Tyrone), L Doyle (Down), C Toye (Donegal), P Finlay (Monaghan), R Mellon (Tyrone), B Coulter (Down), R Clarke (Armagh).