Ger Burns, the 76 times capped former Ireland defender, was one of the most delighted figures in the Munster squad which won the interprovincial hockey crown after the mother of all shoot-outs at Harlequin Park, Cork, on Sunday.

Burns was a ballboy the last time that Munster captured the trophy, at the same venue in 1981. Then they did it on goal difference from Ulster in the tournament's deciding match (0-0) which had been postponed because of stormy, rain-lashed conditions a month previously. In contrast, in the most balmy weather ever experienced at Farmer's Cross last weekend, Burns (34) at last found himself a member of the title-winning team after 16 interprovincial campaigns dating back to 1983. "You could say it's a grand feeling," the Cork C of I stalwart admitted.

There may well be further honours for Munster in their centenary season, for C of I or Harlequins in the Irish Senior Cup, and Ashton, in the All-Ireland Schools' Championship, are capable of going all the way. The province's under-16, under-18 and under-21 teams, too, will have much to offer.

Ireland have been drawn with the holders, Holland, in Pool A of the European Nations Cup in Padua, Italy, in September 1999. The Dutch beat Germany 3-2 in the 1995 final in Dublin. Also in the same group are England, who finished third on that occasion, when Ireland gained fifth place and did not have to qualify for next year's tournament.