Veterans to shine at Interpros
THE Interprovincial Championship got underway at Athenry yesterday with some veterans set to play leading roles.
Leinster are going for their fourth win in a row with AIG Irish Close champion Robbie Cannon (39) hoping to stake his case for a place in the Irish team for the Home Internationals.
As hosts, Connacht will be hopeful of winning the title for the first time since 2011 and with four Galway players in their side, they will feel right at home in Athenry. “It’s nice to be playing in familiar surroundings,” says Connacht captain Diarmuid Caulfield. “We have a tight-knit group of players. The lads are very familiar with each other because they get to represent Connacht more often together.” Mullingar Scratch Trophy winner Tiarnan McLarnon from Massereene leads Ulster who have three newcomers in Peter Kerr (Royal Portrush), Marc McKinstry (Cairndhu) and Rory Williamson (Holywood).
Tralee’s Michael Coote is in his first year as captain of Munster and although he had to plan without Robin Dawson (Tramore) and John Murphy (Kinsale), who are preparing for the World Amateur Team Championship, his team is not short on experience.
Cork’s Gary O’Flaherty is the longestserving player at interprovincial level, having made his debut with Munster as far back as 1996, while Peter O’Keeffe (Douglas) first played in 2002. Since returning to the amateur ranks O’Keeffe has climbed inside the world’s top 100.