O'Sullivan fit to help Munster chase title

Strained ankle ligaments are more normally associated with a footballer than a golfer. But Ada O'Sullivan, the Irish international, knows only too well the pain involved in suffering such an injury.

Last month, while playing in the European Team Championships in Finland, the Monkstown player fell and sprained her ankle, necessitating intensive treatment on the injury since her return home to Cork. O'Sullivan's excursions onto the golf course have been limited since then, but she has recovered sufficiently to take her place in the Munster team that seeks to regain the AIB Women's Inter-provincial championship crown from Leinster when the event starts at Carlow Golf Club tomorrow.

Indeed, O'Sullivan's recovery has come as some relief to the Munster selectors, especially since Tricia Mangan, who retained her Irish Intermediate (Under23) Championship two weeks ago, is abroad on holidays. Mangan was surprisingly omitted from the Munster team and, so, decided to fly off to the sun for a break.

The Inter-provincials act as the final barometer for the Irish selectors who, afterwards, will finalise their team for the Home Internationals which take place at Lahinch next month. The team will be selected at the conclusion of the tests and that obviously adds some spice for the players.

Leinster, the holders, will again start as favourites. Suzanne Fanagan, the Irish Close champion, and Yvonne Cassidy, the Irish Open strokeplay champion, who is aiming for a recall to the national team after losing her place last year, are included in their line-up. Also, Sinead Keane and Elaine Dowdall are pressing hard for international recognition and their respective performances will be watched with considerable interest.

Ulster feature Laura Webb, Alison Coffey and Paula Gorman, another player poised for an Irish call-up, while Munster, too, have a great deal of experience with O'Sullivan, Eileen Rose Power and Barbara Hackett. Connacht have a blend of youth and experience but will start the competition as outsiders.

Leinster: Lillian Behan (Curragh), Yvonne Cassidy (Dundalk), Elaine Dowdall (Wexford), Suzanne Fanagan (Milltown), Hazel Kavanagh (Grange), Sinead Keane (Curragh), Katherine MacCann (Mount Juliet), Denise McCarthy (Woodenbridge).

Munster: Miriam Abernethy (Grange), Bridget Gleeson Healy (Killarney), Barbara Hackett (Castletroy), Valerie Hassett (Ennis), Eavan Higgins (Douglas), Irene Murphy (Cork), Ada O'Sullivan (Monkstown), Eileen Rose Power (Kilkenny).

Ulster: Alison Coffey (Warrenpoint), Emma Dickson (Royal Co Down), Paula Gorman (Malone), Helen Jones (Strabane), Bronagh McCann (Downpatrick), Michelle McGreevy (Rossmore), Sonya Verschuur (Knock), Laura Webb (Cairndhu).

Connacht: Suzanne Corcoran (Portumna), Linda Friel (Portsalon), Katrina Jennings (Castlebar), Eileen MacMullen (Donegal), Helen MacMullen (Donegal), Darragh McGowan (Ballybofey/Stranorlar), Lillian O'Brien (Claremorris), Ann O'Riordan (Elm Park). Programme: Tomorrow - Munster v Leinster; Ulster v Connacht. Thursday - Leinster v Ulster; Munster v Connacht. Friday - Ulster v Munster; Leinster v Connacht.

Dundalk and Hazel Grove will meet in the final of the Eastern District Ulster Bank women's Fourball Championship at Newlands on August 25th. Dundalk booked their place with a 2 1/2 1/2 win over Howth, while Hazel Grove also used home advantage to good effect in their semi-final with a 2 1/2 1/2 win over Old Conna.

Imagine shooting 43 points in a singles stableford competition at your club and still not figuring in the prizes!

That's what happened at Balcarrick Golf Club, in Donabate, last Sunday when Liam Crawford handed in his winning card for a massive 50 points. Crawford, playing off 20, was effectively six over par for his round - and he needed to shoot the lights out to beat 11-handicapper Con Duignan who returned 47 points, while Eddie Molloy took third place with 44 points.

Three of Ireland's European Tour regulars will bolster the field in the Motorola Pro-Am which takes place at Cork Golf Club, Little Island, next Monday.

Philip Walton, Eamonn Darcy and Christy O'Connor Junior - who are all competing in the Czech Republic this week - have confirmed their participation in the Irish Region PGA event which will benefit two local charities, the Irish Guide Dogs Association and St Luke's Home.