Interpros still important, says Gash
March 26, 2010
Written by Alan Good, in Interpro, Latest Stories, News
Irish hockey’s oft-maligned senior and U21 interprovincials get underway tonight, with 14 teams bidding for bragging rights at Grange Road in Dublin.
Formerly one of the highlights of the hockey calendar, the competition is now pilloried in some quarters as a needlessly expensive exercise only still in practice due to tradition.
Given the Irish teams spend more time together than ever – and the three-tier structure of the national side – there are many who feel the interpros are an increasingly pointless exercise outside underage level.
Munster players celebrate during last year's 5-5 draw with Ulster at Garryduff. Picture: Eoin Tyrrell
But try telling that to Conor or David Harte, the Cork-born Irish international twins who ply their trade in Dublin with Pembroke Wanderers, but who relish the opportunity to don Munster colours once a year.
A few players also buck the claims that the competition no longer presents a chance for lesser lights to grab the attention of the national coaches.
Ulster’s Chris Cargo is one such example: exiled across the water in Reading, he answered an 11th-hour call-up for last year’s competition in Cork, and did enough to turn the head of national coach Paul Revington.
Munster senior manager Eddie Gash is hoping some of his players can similarly put themselves in the shop window this time around.
“Munster definitely have a number of players that are pushing for more international recognition,” he said.
“Andy Herbert, Adam Pritchard, Clinton Sweetnam and Ali Smith are among the players who are looking to follow in the footsteps of John Jermyn and David Hobbs, as the Harte brothers have done recently.
“Certainly, it does give players further exposure to the international coaches and show they can perform at the highest level.
“The interpros are also important in their own right, and it’s a tournament that all the players look forward to and enjoy playing in.”
He added: “Both the Leinster & Ulster squads look extremely strong, full of international experience. But in a tournament with only two games then anything is possible.
“The Munster players all know each other’s game well, and have plenty of experience; so are very much capable of pulling off two performances and causing an upset.
“Munster should also have strength in set pieces, with many threats at penalty corners and have Ireland’s best goalkeeper. Penalty corners are crucial in this type of tournament.”
Karem Hales, Audrey O'Flynn and Julia O'Halloran celebrate the latter's strike against Ulster last year, but none of the trio will be in provioncial colours this time around. Picture: Eoin Tyrrell
Munster are looking to win the men’s Leinster Regiment Cup for the first time since 2005, with Ulster the current holders. David Hobbs looks set to be fit after recovering from the ankle injury suffered against Glenanne three weeks ago, though Conor Harte remains an injury doubt.
You have to go back to 2003 to find the last time the province claimed the senior women’s crown, something coach Paidi Hartnett will be keen to amend this time around.
The precautionary withdrawal of Irish internationals ahead of next month’s World Cup Qualifier assignment in Chile means each province — bar South East — are shorn of their top players.
However, Munster’s Connery sisters — Áine, Eimear and captain Sinéad — will have a big say in their hopes, while English-born Sinéad McCarthy makes her first interpro appearance and is one of the country’s most talented sweepers.
The men’s U21 side has the majority of their players back from last year and will look to launch a serious challenge for that crown, though the women’s side – captained by UCC’s Rosie Shanahan – has a more inexperienced look about it.
Senior and U21 Interprovincials, Grange Road, Dublin
Senior Men: Ulster vs Leinster (Tonight, 8pm); Ulster vs Munster (Tomorrow, 2pm); Munster vs Leinster (Sunday, 2pm).
MUNSTER Senior Men: David Harte (GK, Pembroke Wanderers); Billy Lynch (GK, Cork C of I); Lee d’Alton (Cork Harlequins), Eddie Dore (Cork Harlequins), Darren Farrell (Cork Harlequins), Andy Gray (UCC), Conor Harte (Pembroke Wanderers), David Harvey (Cork C of I), Andy Herbert (Cork C of I), John Hobbs (Cork Harlequins), David Hobbs (Cork C of I), John Jermyn (Cork C of I, vice-capt), Alec Moffett (Cork C of I), Adam Pritchard (Pembroke Wanderers), Patrick Shanahan (Three Rock Rovers), Phil Smith (Cork C of I, capt), Ali Smith (Bandon), Clinton Sweetnam (Cork C of I). Coach: Stephen Jackson; Manager: Eddie Gash.
ESB Senior Women: Ulster vs Connacht (Tonight, 6pm); Munster vs Leinster (Tonight, 8pm); Leinster vs Connacht (Tomorrow, 12pm); Ulster vs Munster (Tomorrow, 4pm); Connacht vs Munster (Sunday, 12pm); Ulster vs Leinster (Sunday, 4pm).
MUNSTER Senior Women: Ciara Ronan (GK, Catholic Institute); Orla McCarthy (GK, Cork C of I); Elaine Bromell (Catholic Institute), Sinead McCarthy (Cork Harlequins), Sandra Hackett (Cork C of I), Orla Crowley (UCC), Miriam Crowley (UCC), Sinead Connery (Cork C of I, capt), Ali O’Connor (UCC), Eibhlín O’Donoghue (UCC), Olivia Roycroft (UCC), Ali O’Regan (UCC), Rachel McSharry (Cork Harlequins), Rosie Pratt (Catholic Institute), Kym Daly (Catholic Institute), Aine Connery (Hermes), Jen O’Loughlin (UL), Eimear Connery (Cork C of I). Coach: Paidi Hartnett; Assistant Coach: Neil Welch; Manager: John Dennis.
U21 Men: Ulster vs Leinster (Tonight, 6pm); Ulster vs Munster (Tomorrow, 12pm); Munster vs Leinster (Sunday, 12pm).
MUNSTER u21 Men: Brian Corcoran (GK, Bandon); Dan Hobbs (Cork Harlequins), Stuart O’Grady (Cork C of I), Karl Lynch (Cork C of I), Adam O’Callaghan (Cork C of I), Darren Beamish (Bandon), Andrew Scannell (Bandon), Andrew Daunt (Cork C of I), Roger Gray (UCC), Ali Smith (Bandon), Aaron Beamish (Bandon), Patrick Shanahan (Three Rock Rovers), Malcolm Coombes (Cork C of I), Fionn O’Leary (Bandon), Philip Sweetnam (UCC), Mark Holland (Ashton). Coach: Ger Burns; Manager: Mervyn Good.
ESB U21 Women: Leinster vs Munster (Tomorrow, 10am); Ulster vs South East (Tomorrow, 10am); Munster vs South East (Tomorrow, 3.30pm); Leinster vs South East (Sunday, 10am); Munster vs Ulster (Sunday, 10am); Ulster vs Leinster (Sunday, 3.30pm).
MUNSTER U21 Women: Emma White (GK, Cork C of I); Susan Peters (GK, Ashton); Rosie Shanahan (UCC, capt); Jenni Lyttle (Limerick), Caoimhe Bourke (Trinity), Katie Campbell (Catholic Institute), Kate Collins Smyth (University of New Hampshire), Julie Coyne (Cork C of I), Aoife Kearney (Catholic Institute), Sinead Kelly (UL), Nicola Kerr (Cork C of I), Edwina McGrath (Cork Harlequins), Kate Murphy (UCC), Fiona O’Connell (UCC), Jennifer O’Flynn (UCC), Emma Harrington (Ashton). Coach: Alan Dobson. Assistant Coach: Liz Kerr; Manager: Meg Burke.
best of luck to the munster interpros teams this weekend
SORRY EDDIE, A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY
I think it seems odd that so much focus is on the value of the Inter Pros as a platform to get noticed for possible selection to join the national panel. It is as if playing for your province is not a significant achievement in itself.
Has anyone asked the players what they think about the tournament. I was in the munster dressing room after the leinster game on sunday and everyone in there really wanted the tournament to continue. I can only speak for the munster lads but we really enjoy the tournament and wish it does continue
Don’t want to get into the ”value of the interpros” debate, but I thought the Munster sides played very well over the weekend, with some excellent individual performances and some unlucky results for all teams. Fair play to the management teams and players for their efforts.
Munster gains the most from the interpros!!the league and school standards are generally lower than in ulster and leinster. while our province does produce outstanding talent, its the quantity that we’re lacking. the training and high quality hockey, that come with being involved in interpros surely is worth the cost if it can aid the development of talent. andy herbert and clinton sweetnam are perfect examples of why munster hockey needs interpros. both players have developed considerably in the last twelve months, and the interpros surely aided that, or at least offered a platform. the ulster and leinster leagues have got so strong, they dont need it, but we do. eddie gash has a better view than most on their value, having played at such a high level, and also being involved with munster in a coaching capacity. if im not mistaken, he was involved with munster teams that has produced five senior internationals. so to say sorry eddie, waste of money and time?? without players having something to look forward to, munster hockey will die! if there was to be a change that had to be made, then possibly combinig the 21/senior interpros into an u23′s would be a comprimise. allowing development, but also cutting costs
Just to comment on the facility provided.
No bar facility on the Saturday when supporters arrived for the Munster match
Back pitch 15 minutes to water
Front pitch has inadequate run off areas and is dangerous.
No ball boys or ball girls.
No score board
No timing clock
Poor parking
Changing rooms very poor as even though Munster had a room allocated, it was taken by another squad.
This venue is not suitable for any type of match other than a league match