Ulster and Leinster set for winner-takes-all clash

MEN'S INTERPROS: Ulster and Leinster are on course for a winner-takes-all clash at Ballyliffin, Co Donegal, today.

Both teams carved out 10-3 victories yesterday, holders Ulster bouncing back from a morning foursomes 2½ to 1½ deficit to win eight of the nine afternoon singles against Munster and share the other one.

Leinster went into the singles 4-0 up against Connacht and won six of the singles.

Irish champion Rory McIlroy led Ulster's afternoon rampage with a 3 and 1 defeat of Pat Murray in the top match. A McIlroy eagle at the 13th squared the argument. He won 15 and 16 in regulation and polished off his opponent with a birdie at 17.

Darren Crowe went three up on Séamus Power with a birdie at 13 on his way to a 3 and 2 win while Connor Doran hit Aaron O'Callaghan with an eagle at the fourth hole, an ace at the next and a birdie at the sixth to be two up. He won by 3 and 1.

Doran wasn't the only Ulsterman to card a hole-in-one. Michael Sinclair performed the same deed at the seventh in his 3 and 2 victory over Stephen Maloney. Johnny Caldwell sprinkled half-a-dozen birdies over his card when beating Cian McNamara by one hole, and Gareth Shaw posted six birdies and three bogeys in his 4 and 3 win over John Morris. Rory Leonard and Karl Bornemann shared their tie.

After slamming Connacht 4-0 in the morning, Leinster got an early scare in the singles. After South of Ireland champion Simon Ward handed in an easy 7 and 5 win over Damien Coyne to make it 5-0, Connacht took the next three matches.

Belmullet one-handicapper Michael Lavelle shot seven birdies and no bogeys against Irish Youth international Shane Lowry for a 4 and 2 victory. Joe Lyons beat Paul O'Hanlon 2 and 1. And Gary McDermott made it three Connacht wins in a row with a 3 and 2 defeat of Mark Campbell.

Connacht's form didn't last, however, as Leinster won the five bottom matches.

The foursomes proved a big shock to Ulster, with only Andrew McCormick and Michael Sinclair winning for the holders.

McIlroy will miss today's play as he attends the funeral of Heather Clarke in Portrush.