AMATEUR SCENE: The Irish selectors will be spoiled for choice when the Interprovincial Championships, sponsored by Golfsure, get under way at the Slieve Russell Golf and Country Club, Co Cavan, tomorrow.
Irish captain Eddie Dunne and his selectors, Mark Gannon, Michael Burns, David Young and Padraig Hogan, will have a wealth of young talent to choose from this week, with 16 new faces on the senior scene among the 40 players taking part.
Hogan and Young were captains of Leinster and Ulster sides respectively last year at the Lackabane course in Killarney, where Leinster edged out Ulster 7-6 on their way to lifting the title.
Leinster, this year under the guidance of Malahide's Mick Craddock, make four changes, with youth very much on the mind of the selectors. Into the side come youngsters Mark Ryan (Grange), Liam Ryan (Stackstown) and Robert McCarthy (The Island), while Irish Close champion John McGinn from Greenore is the fourth new cap.
John Moss, from Royal Portrush, has taken over the captaincy of the Ulster team which shows three changes from the side which finished second in Killarney. Darren Crowe from Dunmurray and Royal Dublin, Philip Purdy (Shandon Park) and Rory Leonard (Banbridge) come in for Peter Martin, Andrew Morris and Seamus McMonagle.
Munster, who have struggled in recent years, recall Mark Collins, who is joined by the young brigade of Colwyn Martin, Mervyn Owens and Peter O'Keeffe.
Connacht also go for a blend of youth and experience, with David Dunne (Elm Park), Michael McHugh (Ballinasloe) and Martin McTernan (Co Sligo) joining seasoned players Ken Kearney and Colm Moriarty.
It promises to be one of the most open championships of recent years, but Leinster and Ulster look most likely to decide the outcome.
Leinster are without Justin Kehoe, but the Birr player is on the birdie trail at the World University championship in Tailand where he is the halfway leader. Kehoe shot a seven-under-par 65 yesterday to take a one-shot lead at the Sunshine Golf Club.
A two-round total of eight-under-par 138 leaves Kehoe one shot clear of Riki Ikeda of Japan and six ahead of Britain's Geoff Harris and Switzerland's Martin Rominger. Alastair McKinley is on 143 after a second round of 71 and Mark O'Sullivan on 148 (75, 73).
In the team event, Ireland, on 427, are two shots behind leaders Japan, with Britain third on 436 and Switzerland next on 437.
Meanwhile, the best of the under age talent will be put to the test in the Girls' Home Internationals at Hermitage Golf Club, Lucan, starting today.
England have dominated this championship, and since 1966 have won the title on 29 occasions. Scotland have eight victories and Wales one, while Ireland yet to get off the mark.
England will again start favourites, but Irish captain Evelyn Hearn will be hoping her success with the Munster team at the women's Interprovincial championships at Mount Wolseley last week will give the Irish girls a boost.
SQUADS
LEINSTER: Noel Fox (Portmarnock), Mark Ryan (Grange), Robert McCarthy (The Island), John McDermott (Stackstown), John McGinn (Greenore), Michael McGinley (Grange), Gavin McNeill (Waterford), Adrian Morrow (Portmarnock), Eoin O'Sullivan (The Island), Liam Ryan (Stackstown). Captain: Mick Craddock.
ULSTER: Darren Crowe (Dunmurray), Robert Forsythe (Hilton, Templepatrick), John Foster (Ballyclare), Rory Leonard (Banbridge), Andrew McCormick (Scrabo), Michael McGeady (City of Derry), Gareth Maybin (Ballyclare), Chris Moriarty (Clandeboye), Stuart Paul (Tangragee), Philip Purdy (Shandon Park). Captain: John Moss.
MUNSTER: Karl Bourneman (Douglas), Mark Collins (Sutton), Padraig Dooley (Cork), David Finn (Mallow), Colwyn Martin (Nenagh), Mark Murphy (Waterville), Peter O'Keeffe (Douglas), Mervyn Owens (Mallow), Tim Rice (Limerick), Daniel Sugrue (Killarney). Captain: Gerard O'Sullivan.
CONNACHT: David Dunne (Elm Park), Ken Kearney (Roscommon), Derek McNamara (Connemara), Sean McTernan (Co Sligo), David Mortimer (Connemara), Noel Kavanagh (Westport), Michael McHugh (Ballinasloe), Martin McTernan (Co Sligo), Colm Moriarty (Athlone), Mark Rowe (Athlone). Captain: Gerry McManus.
IRELAND GIRLS: Dawn Marie Conaty (Ashbourne), Karen Delaney (Carlow), Tara Delaney (Carlow), Amy Duggan (Killarney), Alison Kingston (Bandon), Heather Nolan (Shannon), Sinead O'Sullivan (Galway ), Catherine Tucker (Limerick). Team Captain: Evelyn Hearn (Waterford). Manager: Bridget Gleeson Healy (Killarney).
