MUNSTER SQUEEZE THROUGH TO PLAY ULSTER IN FINAL

It will be Munster versus Ulster in Friday's final of the Irish women's inter-provincial tournament at Royal Co Down, Newcastle in Northern Ireland - and Gillian O'Leary, pictured in action in the "Helen Holm" tournament at Troon on Sunday, was the heroine for Munster.
After Munster and Leinster had finished level at 4 1/2-4 1/2, Gillian, who works on the staff of the Irish Ladies Golf Union won the first tie-breaking hole with a birdie 4 to take her team through to the final.
Waiting for them in the final were Ulster, 6-3 winners of Connacht in the other semi-final in which Connachat had led 2-1 after the morning foursomes.
Earlier Leinster had a clean sweep against Munster in the foursomes and only need two wins in the singles in the afternoon to secure a place in the final. But it was not to be.
Munster won four singles matches on the trot to leave Leinster reeling before Munster debutante Sinead Sexton halved with Mary Dowling to level the semi-final encounter and send the match to tie hole(s).
Both teams nominated a player in advance to play the tie. Gillian O’Leary, playing for Munster, needed just one tie hole to decide the outcome with a birdie 4 at the first hole against Mary Dowling.
Earlier in the afternoon newcomers on the Munster side, Chloe Ryan and Jean O’Driscoll both won well against Carla Reynolds and Ciara Butler respectively. Meanwhile Gillian O’Leary was three down to Leinster’s Karen Delaney after 12 holes but recovered with birdies at the 13th, 14th, 16th and 17th holes to win 2 and 1. What a day Gillian had!
Emma O’Driscoll from Ballybunion, showing her links experience, eagled the ninth on her way to a 7 and 6 win against Aedin Murphy while the Leinster anchor, Deirdre Smith, produced a fine 6 and 5 against Aoife Lowry.
Favourites Ulster were given a scare by Connacht before winning 6-3. Charlene Reid, Louise Coffey and Gemma McClenaghan gave Ulster a good platform, all recording convincing wins. However, Ulster needed another point to secure their berth in the final.
Top of the order Danielle McVeigh was two down after nine against Enniscrone opponent Sarah Helly who produced five birdies up to the turn. Danielle recovered and went ahead but Sarah won the 17th and halved the 18th to tie the match.
Victoria Bradshaw had a great tussle with another links player Holly Robinson from County Sligo. The match was halved with Holly unfortunate to three putt the 18th and Ulster had done just enough to earn their place in what should be a very exciting final.

FRIDAY'S MATCHES
Play-off for third and fourth place
LEINSTER v CONNACHT
Foursomes
08:00 Karen Delaney and Maria Dunne v Anne McCormack and Holly Robinson
08:10 Deirdre Smith and Aedin Murphy v Niamh Kitching and Sarah Helly
08:20 Mary Dowling and Louise Mernagh v Suzanne Corcoran and Anne Cassidy

Final
ULSTER v MUNSTER
Foursomes
08:30 Danielle McVeigh and Charlene Reid v Aoife Lowry and Karen O’Neill
08:40 Victoria Bradshaw and Louise Coffey v Chloe Ryan and Sinead Sexton
08:50 Lucy Simpson and Gemma McClenaghan v Emma O’Driscoll and Gillian O’Leary
 TODAY'S RESULTS
SEMI-FINALS
MUNSTER 4 1/2, LEINSTER 4 1/2
Munster won the first tie-breaker hole.
Foursomes
Gillian O’Leary and Emma O’Driscoll lost to Deirdre Smith and Aedin Murphy 3 and 1.
Sinead Sexton and Jean O’Driscoll lost to Karen Delaney and Maria Dunne 5 and 3.
Karen O’Neill and Aoife Lowry lost to Mary Dowling and Louise Mernagh 2 and 1
Singles
Chloe Ryan bt Carla Reynolds 5 and 3
Jean O’Driscoll bt Ciara Butler 4 and 2
Gillian O’Leary bt Karen Delaney 2 and 1
Emma O’Driscoll bt Aedin Murphy 7 and 6
Sinead Sexton halved with Mary Dowling
Aoife Lowry lost to Deirdre Smith 6 and 5


ULSTER 6, CONNACHT 3
Foursomes
Danielle McVeigh and Lucy Simpson bt Niamh Kitching and Sarah Helly 6 and 5
Louise Coffey and Gemma McClenaghan lost to Holly Robinson and Ailbhe Farrell 7 and 6
Paula Grant and Laura Grant lost to Suzanne Corcoran and Anne Cassidy 1 hole
Singles
Danielle McVeigh halved with Sarah Helly
Charlene Reid bt Niamh Kitching 6 and 4
Louise Coffey bt Ailbhe Farrell 7 and 6
Victoria Bradshaw halved with Holly Robinson
Lucy Simpson bt Suzanne Corcoran 1 hole
Gemma McClenaghan bt Anne Cassidy 7 and 6


Sandra Barnett
Irish Ladies Golf Union
Tel: +353 87 2336248