News
Junior Interpros Set For Action
29 April 2011
The end of April brings the Junior Interprovincial Championships, which will this year be staged in the beautiful setting of Killarney, County Kerry. Catering for the elite Junior, Cadet and Under 12 players who revel in the opportunity to represent their province on the national stage, the overall title winners will claim the Victor Barna Shield, with six age group titles also up for grabs.
Ulster are the current Champions, the squad featured in picture claiming the Barna Shield as well as three age group titles in 2010. They will perhaps be favourites to retain the title, but Leinster have an impressive looking squad, while Munster on home ground will also fancy their chances in some of the age categories. Connacht have been rooted to the bottom of the table for the past two seasons, but have a real chance of reversing this trend in 2011 – the competition eagerly awaits the West’s top Under 12 talent including 4 of the top 10 ranked national players - Daragh Egan, Martin Williams, Brian Dunleavey and Martin Ditchburn.
Under 17 Preview
Leinster look to have a very strong squad in the Junior Boys, with Conor Beades and Will Gallagher and Matt Finlay all having very consistent seasons. With Junior International Sam Logue and Club Donic’s Shi Zhao Li also in the squad, they will be favourites to reclaim this title from Ulster. Ulster will be led by Ashley Robinson, while his international team-mate Declan O’Brien spearheads the Munster team.
The Junior Girls is a three-way competition, with no Connacht entry. Ashley Givan misses the event due to international commitments and this throws the event wide open. Munster will be led by Edel O’Reilly, who has had a strong season domestically and on the international front. Aisling Healy and Emily Burns are also consistent, while Emily O’Reilly has only featured in one National event this year and her form is hard to gauge. Annalise Walker leads the Ulster charge, with ALSAA’s Amy Rock the top ranked Leinster player. This is a real chance for Munster to claim a home victory.
Under 14 Preview
Leinster would appear to be the overwhelming favourites in the Cadet Boys, with three players currently featuring heavily in National Cadet selections – Ryan Farrell, Kevin Hutchinson and Conor Mullally supplemented by the undoubted talent of ALSAA’s Ciaran Kelly. It is hard to see any other winner here.
The Cadet Girls sees Ulster with a very strong team containing three of the top 5 in the National Rankings – Erin Thompson, Hannah Lynch-Dawson and Emma Ludlow. The Hayes sisters will lead the way for Leinster with Meabh Slattery also very strong at this level.
Under 12 Preview
Elayna and Katie McGlone lead a strong Leinster team that is also strong in depth with Primary School International Nga Nguyen and Kate Whelan also selected. National Champion Rebecca Finn will think that Ulster also have a strong chance in this age group while Munster will also be strong with Puotkalyte and Brady both in the top 5 players nationally.
In the Under 12 Boys, Connacht may well have their best chance for a medal. As already stated, they have an extremely strong team with three Primary School International players. Ulster however have Joint National Number 1s Zak Wilson and Ryan McConkey, while Leinster have selected National Runner-up Alexander Gillen.
With so many talented players in action, and so many exciting battles at every age group between the four provinces, this tournament promises to be an exciting climax to the domestic season. Parents/Spectators are very welcome to come cheer their teams on at the Aura Leisure Centre, Killarney with the first match scheduled for 9.30am. Can Ulster retain the Victor Barna Shield again or will it return East to Leinster? And will Connacht register a win and show that their strong season at Under 12 level was not a flash in the pan?...Get to the Aura on Saturday to see Ireland’s best young players battle it out to answer these questions.
