Amateur golfBrian KeoghInterprovincial Matches, Caolan Rafferty, Jonathan Yates, Conor Purcell, Daniel Holland, Rowan Lester, Kevin Le Blanc, Alan Lowry, Thomas MulliganComment

Rafferty, Yates and Purcell get Leinster call up; Holland returns

Amateur golfBrian KeoghInterprovincial Matches, Caolan Rafferty, Jonathan Yates, Conor Purcell, Daniel Holland, Rowan Lester, Kevin Le Blanc, Alan Lowry, Thomas MulliganComment
Rafferty, Yates and Purcell get Leinster call up; Holland returns
Leinster's Kevin Le Blanc and Rowan Lester lining up their putt on the 10th green during the second day of the 2015 Interprovincial Championship at Rosapenna Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman

Leinster's Kevin Le Blanc and Rowan Lester lining up their putt on the 10th green during the second day of the 2015 Interprovincial Championship at Rosapenna Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman

New caps Jonathan Yates, Caolan Rafferty and Conor Purcell join old hand Daniel Holland and young guns Rowan Lester, Kevin Le Blanc, Alan Lowry and Thomas Mulligan in the Leinster side hoping to retain the Interprovincial Championship at Fota Island from July 4-6.

While the East of Ireland champion, Paul O’Hanlon, is unavailable due to work commitments and Stuart Grehan (Tullamore/MU), Jack Hume (Naas), Paul McBride (The Island) and Conor O’Rourke (Naas) will be competing in the clashing European Team Championships in France from July 5-9, team captain Seamus McParland is confident his eight man team will put up a strong defence.

After leading Leinster to an impressive win at Rosapenna last year, the Leinster selectors have stuck with their youth policy.

McParland said: “The selectors have gone for a young team again this year which includes current international, Rowan Lester and boy internationals, LeBlanc, Mulligan and Purcell.”

Dundalk talent Rafferty, 23, is another new cap after he showed impressive form by qualifying for the Amateur Championship and the Lytham Trophy recently.

West of Ireland champion Yates makes his debut with the man he beat in the final, Holland, returning to the side.

A stalwart for Ireland at seniors level and for his club Greenore for 30 years, McParland brings a wealth of experience to his role as captain. 

Leinster squad (Interprovincial Championship, Fota Island from July 4-6)

  • Daniel Holland (Castle)
  • Kevin LeBlanc (The Island)
  • Rowan Lester (Hermitage)
  • Alan Lowry (Esker Hills/Maynooth University)
  • Thomas Mulligan (Co. Louth)
  • Conor Purcell (Portmarnock)
  • Caolan Rafferty (Dundalk) 
  • Jonathan Yates (Naas)

Non-travelling reserve – Eugene Smith (Ardee)

  • Team Captain - Seamus McParland (Greenore) 
  • Team Manager - Jerome Clancy (Clontarf)