Munster are setting their sights on a first Men’s Interprovincial Championship win in eight years, with David Howard hoping victory at Knightsbrook could provide the perfect send-off before making his Open Championship debut at Royal Birkdale next week.
The Fota Island golfer earned his ticket to The Open Championship after coming through final qualifying at Dundonald Links, and the week since has been a whirlwind for the 27-year-old with the prospect of teeing up alongside the likes of Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry still not fully setting in.
“It’s definitely not after sinking in completely yet,” said Howard.
“The odd few times I’ll be chatting about it, and I say it out loud, it still doesn’t really make sense, but it’s starting to get there slowly but surely.”
Before making the journey from his native Cork to the Southport venue, Howard will be a part of a strong Munster side looking to claim their first Interprovincial crown since 2018, with the then captain Michael Coote returning to lead the side to Knightsbrook once again.
“It’ll be good to go up there and get away from the noise, relax and get a bit of competitive golf in again before I head over,” said Howard.
“It was a huge deal to be able to represent Munster for the first time a few years ago and I’m still lucky to be able to represent. I haven’t got a team win with them yet and it’s been a few years since Munster has won, so it’d be nice to get a win.”
Howard lines out alongside reigning South of Ireland champion Jonathan Keane (Lahinch), while David Reddan (Castleknock), Morgan Cain (Fota Island), Conor Hickey (Dooks) and Darragh Flynn (Carton House) return from the side that defeated 2025 champions Leinster in last year’s opening match. Mark Gazi (Tralee) also returns to the team for the first time since 2023, while Joseph O’Neill (Berehaven) is back in the squad having missed out on a place last year.
“We definitely have a good chance this year, and we’re all going to try hard to get a win because none of us got a win in this before,” said Howard.
“We’re all feeling good about the team, it’s a great strong team again this year. We beat Leinster last year, so try beat them again this year, and win the other matches to get it over the line.”
While Munster are looking to end Leinster’s dominance, the reigning champions are chasing a fifth consecutive men’s title. Victory would see them carve out their own slice of history after their great 1960s team triumphed from 1962 to 1965 before sharing first place with Munster in 1966.
The Ulster Women’s team will also look to create some history as they aim to retain their title for the first time in a decade. Mary MacLaren captains the side for the first time, with Aoife Browne (Massereene), Louise Coffey (Malone), Holly Hamilton (Belvoir Park) and Molly O’Hara (Clandeboye) returning from last year’s winning panel. Judithe Allen (Royal Portrush) returns to the squad for the first time since 2024, while Chloe Weir (Shandon Park) earns another call up.
For Howard, the immediate focus remains firmly on helping Munster lift the trophy. Victory at Knightsbrook would not only end the province’s long wait for Interprovincial success but also provide the ideal boost ahead of the biggest week of his golfing career.
“It’d be a good start to the couple of weeks ahead,” said Howard.
“I’d love to get one and be part of the team, but it’ll be a great week. It’s an enjoyable week as well, good camaraderie among everyone, and we all know each other well, so it’d be nice to enjoy it and get a win with the lads.”
The three-day event tees off at 8.00am Wednesday morning with a two-tee start as the Women’s Championship leads the way with their foursome matches. Ulster will begin their defence against Munster while Leinster face Connacht before the Men’s Championship gets underway at 8.24am, with Leinster facing Munster and Ulster taking on Connacht.
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