Golf:It was a glorious afternoon on the fairways for Leinster as the hosts captured both the boys and youths titles in their respective interprovincial championships over the New Course at Headfort Golf Club in Meath today.
Leinster youths captured an unprecedented sixth successive win after they defeated Ulster 6-3 in today's deciding match - both sides had previously defeated Munster and Connacht.
The host province took a commanding 2.5 to 0.5 lead after the morning foursomes and from there they never looked back.
In the afternoon singles Kilkenny’s Craig Martin put an early point on the board when he defeated Warrenpoint’s Paul Reavey 6 and 5, who was unbeaten in his five previous matches.
Local player Rory McNamara remained unbeaten for the week when he secured a halved match with Nial Kearns (Omagh) in the top match.
Victory was sealed when Royal Dublin’s Darragh Coghlan defeated Garth Boyd (Donaghadee) 3 and 2 in the bottom match.
In the Boys championship Leinster, who defeated the holders Ulster on the opening day and easily accounted for Munster yesterday, completed the treble crown with a 7.5 to 0-5 win over Connacht.
Irish boys international Paul Dunne (Greystones) was in imperious form, helping Jeff Hopkins (Skerries) to a 4 and 3 foursomes win over the Co. Sligo pairing of Michael Durcan and Steffan O’Hara, before going on to dispose of Durcan, his fellow Irish teammate, 6 and 5 in the singles.
Local member Brian Casey beat Athenry’s David Byrne by 4 and 3 to record six wins from six matches – the only player to do so in the Championship.
Youths Interprovincial Championship Results:
Result of Championship:1. Leinster; 2. Ulster; 3. Munster; 4. Connacht.
Thursday, July 23rd:
Leinster 6 Ulster 3
Foursomes:
Rory McNamara & Gary McGrane bt Luke Lennox & Garth Boyd 1 hole
James Monaghan & Craig Martin bt Paul O'Kane & Noel Murray 2 and 1
Darragh Coghlan & Richard O'Donovan halved with Paul Reavey & James Patterson
Singles:
Rory McNamara halved with Nial Kearns
James Monaghan lost to Paul O'Kane 3 and 2
Gary McGrane lost to Luke Lennox 4 and 3
Craig Martin bt Paul Reavey 6 and 5
Richard O'Donovan bt James Patterson 1 hole
Darragh Coghlan bt Garth Boyd 3 and 2
Munster 7.5 Connacht 1.5
Foursomes:
Daniel Hallissey & David Ruddy bt Barry Anderson & Stephen Healy 5 and 4
Ross O'Sullivan & Conor Dowling bt Kelan McDonagh & Tommy McGowan 4 and 2
Eoghan Long & Declan King bt Paddy Neville & Declan Loftus 3 and 1
Singles:
Daniel Hallissey lost to Stephen Brady 4 and 3
Ross O'Sullivan bt Stephen Healy 1 hole
David Ruddy bt Kelan McDonagh 4 and 2
Eoghan Long halved with Declan Loftus
Declan King bt Tommy McGowan 4 and 3
Ciaran McKenna bt Barry Anderson 3 and 2
Boys Interprovincial Championship Results
Result of Championship: 1. Leinster; 2. Ulster; 3. Connacht; 4. Munster.
Leinster 7.5 Connacht 1.5
Foursomes:
Paul Dunne & Jeff Hopkins bt Michael Durcan & Steffan O'Hara 4 and 3
Daniel Murphy & Brian Casey bt Sean Cannon & Alex Gleeson 4 and 3
Ciaran Boggan & Stephen Barry lost to Darragh O'Sullivan & Enda Campbell 2 and 1
Singles:
Paul Dunne bt Michael Durcan 6 and 5
Stephen Barry bt Darragh O'Sullivan 2 and 1
Brian Casey bt David Byrne 4 and 3
Daniel Murphy halved with Alex Gleeson
Ciaran Boggan bt Enda Campbell 1 hole
Shaun O'Connor bt Sean Cannon 6 and 5
Ulster 4.5 Munster 4.5
Foursomes:
Colin Fairweather & Reeve Whitson lost to Ian O'Rourke & Seamus King 1 hole
Garth McGee & Dwayne Mallon bt Gordian Barry & Kieran Lynch 4 and 3
Matthew McKnight & Jonathan Connolly lost to Andrew Kelly & Paul O'Neill 1 hole
Singles:
Colin Fairweather lost to Ian O'Rourke 2 holes
Garth McGee bt Andrew Kelly 4 and 3
Reeve Whitson bt Paul O'Neill 1 hole
Jonathan Connolly halved with Seamus King
Matthew McKnight bt Gary Hurley 5 and 4
Jonathan Taylor lost to Kieran Lynch 6 and 4
