Munster Gent's Inter-County Championship @ St. Anne's Pitch and Putt Club, Shanakiel, Cork

Yes, I am back as they say but it’s not on the playing front! I find it hard to imagine not being involved in such an occasion but the high seas and new work placements this year have brought my Pitch and Putt days to a shattering halt. That said, I am never too far away from keeping myself up to date with what is going on in the game that we all love.

The Munster Inter County to me was always a massive competition on the calendar where one could don the County Jersey, play with pride, honour and give it a right old go!
I could be wrong with my history on this competition but I think I remember watching a fantastic Clare team win in Parteen in 95, Tipp in 96 and I made my debut in 97 below in the famous Waterford Crystal Club where Cork began their domination and only Tipperary, Kerry and Limerick have dethroned the Rebels since 97.

St Annes is one of the leading clubs in Cork for many years and has provided many great administrators in the lines of Liam Houlihan who sadly passed away this year, some great reporters in the lines of Vincent Allen, a Teachta Dála in Bernard Allen and of course some of the best players this game has ever seen. The course itself is one that can be easy at times when you look at some of the scoring achieved there in the past but also can show its bitterness as was evidently shown in the All Ireland Inter County held there back in 2010.

The old course has seen a few changes in recent years with holes extended and bunkers added to various holes and if your game is slightly misfiring, this course will prove to be a long hard slog! I visited the course just this week on my way home from work, didn’t hit a ball as I didn’t want to torment myself and it looks fantastic. I had a nice stroll on me own and pictured what it would be like playing on Sunday and all those playing the weekend are in for a treat.
The course looks great, it looks to be playing great and more importantly the Committee down there will ensure all the players are looked after appropriately. It is going to be a great championship in my eyes but I honestly feel that teams outside of Cork are playing for the Runners Up spot such is the talent this Cork Team have at their disposal.


Clare - This team has real characters and is made up of the absolute Gentlemen of the game. The likes of the Marty Fawl’s, the Niall Seery’s and the like really make this game what it is. Their carefree attitude is obvious for all to see but the Banner are flying at the moment in the sporting world but I genuinely think that the step up come Sunday just might be a little too much for them. Declan Sheedy’s return to their side will help but it won’t be enough.

Cork – I don’t really have the words to describe this team. They are playing without the brilliant O’Sullivan Brothers and still they can go to the well and return with the All Ireland Strokeplay Runner Up in Donal Duggan and new young gun Sean Doolan. Now in saying that, wearing the Cork Jersey brings it own pressure and it will be interesting to see how both players take to the step up but sure when you have Dunscombe, Walsh, Scannell and Murphy to back you up, I suppose you’re not so bad! This team has 2 debutants and I think it will be the singles before we see exactly what they can do as is most often the case in this Championship when it comes to the Rebels.

Kerry – An interesting team and one I am watching closely as they have the experience in Jonathan Goodall, the fast flying Fleming and the ever present JOR but I am unsure if they have the firepower in the remaining 3 players to stop Cork. I have seen Declan McCarron playing better but when on song, he is a serious scorer, John McGrath is very consistent when playing well and Gavin Carroll is one player I know will relish this championship. I would love to see the Kingdom give it a right go but I think they don’t have the complete team to mount a serious challenge to the Rebels.

Limerick – Liam O’Donovan is having his best year in a long time and it’s great to see Noddy back playing well and Limerick badly need him to continue his fine form on Sunday to stand a chance of claiming the Runners Up spot. Pacelli is always consistent and there is no doubt that he will remain the same as will the very talented Tommy Hanley who really needs to continue his fine form of late to rally the troops. Kieran Earls is a huge talent, one I see winning big honours in years to come as he as all the attributes to compete with the very best, his A-game is badly wanted on Sunday. Again its a massive step up for John Cunningham and Martin Keohane and whilst fine players on their day, I don’t think Limerick are strong enough to overcome Cork but they are a serious threat for the Runners Up spot.

Tipperary – Not being involved as I write about our chances makes me sick to the pit of my stomach! I genuinely believe in this team and I am not one for sitting on the fence and have always said it as it is. Stephen Shoer dominated the County Championships early in the year but his form has dipped somewhat in the latter stages of the season. James Cleary has really played well recently and had a fine showing at the All Ireland Strokeplay as did Anthony Culhane show all his capabilities at the recent Munster Strokeplay where he finished Runner Up. These boys have all played well this year but for Tipperary to mount any sort of challenge the old brigade of Joyce, Minogue and James Ryan really need to step up to the plate. I can’t see them beating Cork but if they all click, they could sneak a placing.

Waterford – I made my debut in 97 where I played with Eddie Hennessy and back then he was great and to this day he is one of the most talented players in this game. The tour de force of Robbie Walker and Billy Aspel remain in force but more recently it was a new light to emerge from  below the Metal Man in Tramore in the name of Chris Murray where he blitzed the field to win the Tramore Scratch Cup. Daniel Sullivan and Darren O’Sullivan are improving players and the weekend will stand to them going forward. That said I don’t believe the Deise have enough through their ranks to pose a major threat but something tells me they might be a surprise package in Hillview in a few weeks time.

So all in all, it’s Cork’s to lose in my view. It would be some shock to see them beaten and if they take it for granted they could be caught but I can’t see it happening.

Winners: Cork;
Runners-up: Limerick

(...with many thanks to Paul O'Brien)