Masters Interpros 2016 roundup

The masters interprovincials were run very successfully in Belfast at the Boat club last weekend – 1st and 2nd of April. 

The event was tinged with a lot of sadness due to the absence of our recently deceased good friend Neil O’Sullivan. Neil has been an integral part of this event for the past 15 years and was sadly missed by everyone involved.
But the show goes on, and Munster fielded very strong teams in all the men’s events.
O45-Tony Maher , Tommy Horgan, Conor O’Neill, and new caps – Geoff Wales (capt) and Jack Molloy. They performed admirably but the section was won by a star studded Ulster team.
The O65s were defending their title but were without the services of Joe Whelan and Tim Murphy from last year. The team of Johnie O’Donovan, Barry Cullinane (capt), Noel Murphy and John O’Shoughnessy put up a great fight but also lost out to the hosts led by David Gotto.
The O55 team had a very strong panel and were going for 3 in a row. They were fortunate to be able to call on Eddie Murphy and John Dineen (winner of the recent Irish open O55) to fill the no.1 and 2 spots, pushing down the more mature members to 3,4&5. Also on the panel were – James McSweeney, Donal Coughlan, Eamonn O’Keeffe, Jim O’Callaghan, Michael Conlon, Derry McCarthy, Martin McDonnell and captain Michael Mulhall.
On Friday night against Ulster, Jamesie was merciless in dispatching Roger McElroy. This performance and his youthfulness earned him a call up to the 045 team for Sat afternoon – which he also won. Next on the ‘anchor man’ Donal came up against a very sharp Mr. Lusk and went down eventually to make it 1 all. Game on. Then Eddie Murphy beat Pat McCrisken to put Munster in a strong position with 2 matches remaining. At 3 Martin McDonnell completed the win with a hard fought victory over Richard Hedley. John got 2 games off the vastly experienced David Rosenberg in a very entertaining final match. So Munster escaped with a 3/2 victory and all to play for on the Saturday.
Saturday morning Leinster were very formidable opponents and consequently our Brian Cody-esque captain Michael Mulhall made some very astute tactical selectorial decisions. He then led by example, beating Gerry Delaney in a close encounter. Next up Michael Conlon accounted for Martin Maher who was unlucky not to take it to the 5th. So it was the no.1s next on and they treated us to the best match of the weekend with an exhibition of excellent squash. Both served for the 1st game which Eddie won. Then when he went two up it was looking good but all credit to Kyran Hurley. He never gave up and battled all the way to 8 all in the 3rd before Eddie closed it out much to the relief of the whole team. Martin beat Ger Cassidy 3/1 in a long game. Then Frank Donnelly played some marvellous squash to go 2 up but unfortunately as John was attempting to reel him in, unfortunately Frank pulled a muscle in the 3rd and had to retire.
So only the ‘bogey men’ from Connacht stood in our way in the afternoon. (Having stopped us previously going for 4 in a row). And despite the fact that they were short some of there usual 1st team players it didnot deter them. At 5 Frank Fahey, though giving away a good no. of years, took Michael Mulhall all the way to 7-all in the 4th before running out of steam. Then when Gerry Fahey raced into a 1 nil and 4 nil lead Munster were worried again. But Michael Conlon – like the duracell bunny – sprung to life and used all his skill speed and stamina to fight his way back to win 3/1. Next at no.1 the ever improving Dave Lalor took a game off a tiring Eddie before ‘steady Eddie’ did what he does best and squeezed out another win for himself and the team. ‘Anchor man’ Donal proceeded to beat a very game Aidan Power. ‘The pink panther’ – John shook hands with Pat Hanley on their tie, and the rather subdued celebrations began.
Munster were very fortunate to have the services of Derry McCarthy giving invaluable advice and encouragement court-side for the weekend. Hopefully himself and Jim will hang in there long enough to lend a hand to the o65s in the not too distant future – without wishing their lives away!!!.
So Munster squash would like to thank all the players who travelled from 5 different counties and abroad at their own expense and paid for their own accommodation. And to wish those who made the Irish teams all the best in their upcoming internationals.
Next year Munster are at home which should make it a little easier and hopefully the men’s O55s can achieve their tantalising 4 in a row, and that Mandy , Dympna and Clare will have the ladies back on board.
A big thank you to all concerned.
Munster squash.