Howard set for Interpros at Knightsbrook before dream start at The Open
David Howard in action at Final Qualifying for The Open at Dundonald Links this week. Picture courtesy Kevin Doyle
Fota Island golfer David Howard headlines a Munster outfit seeking Interprovincial glory for the first time since 2018 before he heads to Royal Birkdale for The Open.
The Men’s and Women’s Interprovincial teams have been announced ahead of the matches at Knightsbrook, which take place from 8-10 July.
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 to the side that defeated 2025 champions Leinster in the opening match last season.
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.
The Leinster Men’s team will aim for a fifth title in a row, with a strong line-up that includes Flogas Irish Men’s Amateur Open champion Patrick Keeling (Roganstown), North of Ireland champion Dylan Keating (Seapoint) and Irish Intervarsity champion Patrick Curran (Edmondstown).
They are joined by returning members of the 2025 title-winning team Gerard Dunne (Co. Louth) and Keith Egan (Carton House) while Thomas Abom (Edmondstown), Quentin Carew (Castleknock) and Will O'Riordan (Greystones) round out the panel.
Aoife Browne (Massereene), Louise Coffey (Malone), Kate Dwyer (Rossmore), Holly Hamilton (Belvoir Park) and Molly O'Hara (Clandeboye) make their return to the title-winning Ulster Women’s side while Judithe Allen (Royal Portrush) returns to the Ulster side for the first time since 2024 and Chloe Weir (Shandon Park) earns her first call-up.
Interprovincial Matches, Knightsbrook, July 8-10
Connacht Men
Aodhagan Brady (Co. Sligo)
Luke Cunningham (Galway Bay)
Rory Gallagher (Galway Bay)
Cian O'Connor (Roscommon)
Cormac O'Muirithe (Belmullet)
Cathal Penney (Athenry)
David Shiel (Enniscrone)
Conor Stapleton (Connemara)
Captain: Michael Heaney (Oughterard)
Manager: James Mclaughlin (Portumna)
Connacht Women
Shannon Burke (Ballinrobe)
Sophie Dodd (Enniscrone)
Ella Grennan (Athlone)
Aoife Kelly (Galway Bay)
Maeve Kelly (Strandhill)
Ellen Lonergan (Westport)
Maebh Mcloughlin (Co Sligo)
Captain: Jacqui McGrath (Tuam)
Manager: Niamh Mulholland (Galway)
Leinster Men
Thomas Abom (Edmondstown)
Quentin Carew (Castleknock)
Patrick Curran (Edmondstown)
Gerard Dunne (Co. Louth)
Keith Egan (Carton House)
Dylan Keating (Seapoint)
Patrick Keeling (Roganstown)
Will O'Riordan (Greystones)
Captain: Ian Mooney (Wicklow)
Manager: John Cullen (Enniscorthy)
Leinster Women
Anna Abom (Edmondstown)
Helena Burke (Carlow)
Ciara Casey (Hermitage)
Libby Fleming (Kilkenny)
Rachael McDonnell (Elm Park)
Ellen O'Shaughnessy (Co. Louth)
Isabella Stewart (Woodbrook)
Captain: Orla Darcy (Naas)
Manager: Michael Maher (Carton House)
Munster Men
Morgan Cain (Fota Island)
Darragh Flynn (Carton House)
Mark Gazi (Tralee)
Conor Hickey (Dooks)
David Howard (Fota Island)
Jonathan Keane (Lahinch)
David Reddan (Castleknock)
Joseph O'Neill (Berehaven)
Captain: Michael Coote (Tralee)
Manager: Tom Keane (Ballybunion)
Munster Women
Valerie Clancy (Killarney)
Clodagh Coughlan (Douglas)
Anna Dawson (Tramore)
Lucy Grattan (Tralee)
Áine Martin (Kanturk)
Caitlin Shippam (Ballykisteen)
Aideen Walsh (Lahinch)
Captain: Mary Dowling (Mallow)
Manager: Sinead Enright (Macroom)
Ulster Men
Colm Campbell (Warrenpoint)
Rian Carville (Warrenpoint)
Fionn Dobbin (Malone)
Ryan Griffin (Ballybofey & Stranorlar)
Cian Harkin (Letterkenny)
James Hewitt (Tandragree)
Josh Hill (Galgorm Castle)
Darcy Hogg (Belvoir Park)
Captain: Jeff Forde (Tandragee)
Manager: Bruce Hogg (Dunfanaghy)
Ulster Women
Judithe Allen (Royal Portrush)
Aoife Browne (Massereene)
Louise Coffey (Malone)
Kate Dwyer (Rossmore)
Holly Hamilton (Belvoir Park)
Molly O'Hara (Clandeboye)
Chloe Weir (Shandon Park)
Captain: Mary MacLaren (Royal Portrush)
Manager: Deirdre Bones (Royal Portrush)
