Gaelic Games

Ulster have a number of absentees but still strong as they go after three-in-a-row

Monaghan’s Sharon Courtney out with a hamstring injury and Donegal forward Geraldine McLaughlin has had knee surgery

Aileen Gilroy of Mayo, left, will be a key part of the Connacht effort in the MMI interprovincial championship at Kinnegad. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Aileen Gilroy of Mayo, left, will be a key part of the Connacht effort in the MMI interprovincial championship at Kinnegad. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Sat May 24 2014 - 01:00

Ulster manager Paula Cunningham has confirmed a number of big-name absentees as the province go after a third successive MMI interprovincial championship crown in Kinnegad today.

Monaghan’s Sharon Courtney is ruled out with a hamstring injury and Donegal forward Geraldine McLaughlin will not feature either after undergoing knee surgery.

Armagh’s Fionnuala McKenna also has exam commitments but Cunningham has still managed to assemble a powerful-looking squad.

Last year's beaten TG4 All-Ireland senior finalists Monaghan provide 13 players. Proud Cunningham said: "Three-in-a-row would be fantastic but we're down a few, unfortunately. However, we have 30 girls proud to put on the black and amber jersey and I have full faith in them."

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Gerry Carmody and Francie Keane are heading up the management team for last year’s beaten finalists Connacht.While Claire Egan and Sarah Roe are unavailable, they will have Mayo pair Caoilfhion Connolly and Aileen Gilroy.

Munster, champions in 2011, have Kerry manager William O’Sullivan at the helm and he has 10 Kingdom players and 11 of Cork’s League and All-Ireland holders in his squad.

Leinster are chasing a first title since 2006 and manager Dominic Leech (Wicklow) believes the province’s first game of the day will tell a lot: “We play Ulster in the first match and that’s the big game. You have to win your first match.”