Ulster retain title narrowly

Ulster retained the Interprovincial Championship on a countback as Connacht's bid for a first title since 1983 faded at Royal Dublin yesterday. After both teams tied on two points each, Ulster took the title 21181/2 on matches won over the three days.

Ulster laid the foundation for victory when taking three of the morning foursomes against Munster, while Connacht were still in sight of victory although going down 2 1/2 - 1 1/2 to Leinster.

However, in the afternoon's nine singles Connacht came up against a Leinster side who produced their best golf on the final day while Ulster and Munster were sharing the singles 4 1/2 - 4 1/2. Munster looked as if they might do Connacht a favour taking four of the first five singles. Tim Rice and Karl Bornemann raced to emphatic victories over internationals, Michael Hoey and Andrew McCormick.

Rice beat Hoey 6 and 5 while Bornemann was even more impressive in disposing of McCormick 7 and 5, and John Morris and Pat Murray both won on the 18th against Michael Sinclair and Stuart Paul. However, the holders finished strongly with Peter Martin, Johnny Foster and Michael McGeady winning the last three matches.

Meanwhile, Connacht were up against an inform Leinster side.

Double champion Noel Fox led the way with a one-hole win over Conor Waters and Justin Kehoe turned one up on his way to a 3 and 2 win over Daire Loughnane. The impressive Michael McDermott, who took five points out of a possible six, turned four up on Daire Loughnane and won on the 15th.

Connacht's only wins came from Sean McTernan and David Mortimer as Leinster took the last four matches. McTernan was always in command in beating Dermot Snow 4 and 3 while Mortimer won 4 and 3 over Gavin McNeill.

Ulster 71/2 Munster 51/2 - Foursomes: C McMonagle, M McGeady lost to M Murphy, D Sugrue 1 hole; S Paul, A McCormick bt J Morris, T Rice 4 and 3; M Hoey, J Foster bt K Bornemann, S Moloney 4 and 3; M Sinclair, C Moriarty bt P Murray, M O'Kelly 1 hole. Foursomes result: Ulster 3 Munster 1. Singles: C McMonagle bt M Murphy 2 and 1; M Hoey lost to T Rice 6 and 5; A McCormick lost to K Bornemann 7 and 5; M Sinclair lost to P Murray 1 hole; D Jones halved with S Moloney; P Martin bt M Sheridan 3 and 1; J Foster bt D Sugrue 4 and 3; M McGeady bt M O'Kelly 4 and 3. Singles result: Ulster 41/2 Munster 41/2.

Leinster 91/2 Connacht 31/2 - Four- somes: N Fox, S Browne halved with C Cassidy, D Loughnane; M Campbell, E Brady bt C Moriarty, S Horkan 2 and 1; M McDermott, J Kehoe bt D Dunne, D Mortimer 1 hole; G Cullen, D Snow lost to S McTernan, M O'Sullivan 1 hole. Foursomes result: Leinster 21/2 Connacht 11/2. Singles: N Fox bt C Waters 1 hole; J Kehoe bt C Moriarty 3 and 2; M McDermott bt D Loughnane 5 and 4; D Snow lost to S McTernan 4 and 3; G McNeill lost to D Mortimer 4 and 3; M Campbell bt C Cassidy 4 and 3; S Browne bt M O'Sullivan 3 and 2; G Cullen bt S Horkan 4 and 3; E Brady bt D Dunne 4 and 3. Singles result: Leinster 7 Connacht 2.