First and foremost, I believe this championship should be played in honour of Theresa Fitzgibbon who passed away earlier this year. She so gallantly wore the Clare colours with pride in the last decade or more. I played with Theresa and her partner in a Munster Mixed as a spotty teenager below in Kilmichael and I must say it was indeed an experience to play with her. She was like a running commentator on her own game and had no problem telling you where you went wrong if you hit an errant tee shot but she always said it with a wry smile, just like most Clare people.

Her loss to the Clare team is so unfortunate and it is probably the reason why they have not a team in the championship, such is their reliance on the usual ladies. That said, I genuinely hope that Theresa’s colleagues can get another few ladies out playing and I really hope they get back on the Inter County scene ASAP. You all be missed

Cork – The likes of Claire O’Flynn, Siobhan Scannell & Ann Daly are noticeable absentees but at home the team still looks unbeatable. Eleanor Walsh, Vera McCarthy & Sharon Bowes are all very experienced and St Annes has been kind to all these players in years gone by. Mary Murray is a good player and has been knocking on that Cork door for a few years now and she is sure to take her chance and will look forward to Hillview also. Valerie O’Leary is a strong pitcher and she will be suited to St Annes as will Paula Nolan who I believe is making her debut. It’s a big step up for the Ballinlough lady but one I believe will master it with flying colours. I can’t see them losing as their experience should bring them through but it will be interesting to see.

Tipperary – Word filtered through this week that leading lady Breda Lonergan has been forced to pull out due to illness and with that went Tipperary’s chances. Already playing without Martha O’Brien, Breda’s loss is just too big for Tipperary to compete with Cork. Mary Quinn has had a great season as has Bridget Shelley who continues to remain as consistent as ever. Shula McCarthy makes a return to the team after a few years out and is a welcome addition. Margaret and Megan Courtney will make their debuts and these two players have improved dramatically in recent years but this step up is massive and it will stand to them going forward. I am led to believe that Frances Ryan is replacing Breda and she has big shoes to fill but Frances has a lot of experience and for Tipp to get on contention, all the ladies are going to have to play their very best.

Waterford – I believe Waterford have 3 debutants this Sunday in Lorraine Troy, Sharon Keoghan & Mary Carbery. Waterford is probably the single best County in Ireland for promoting Ladies Pitch & Putt and all Counties should be trying to follow suit. I believe in time with the likes of Nellie O’Sullivan, Caroline English & Breda O’Donnell continuing to fly the flag that Waterford are going to produce some very fine players. Once they stay competing their new players will improve and that will be an integral part for their development. I can’t see them beating either team this weekend but they will enjoy the occasion and that the important factor.

I don’t know where the ladies game is in Munster, it continues to struggle but yet we have some very talented players within all the grades. It seems as though a lot of players don’t enter major competitions or perhaps are not enticed to by their clubs.

Some radical changes are required in the ladies game, they should be respected on the course when playing which sadly is not adhered to at times. I don’t have the answers but I feel the change in format of the National Inter Co will be a help but I would urge all the ladies who may have ideas on how to promote the ladies game to step forward and highlight the areas on where you could see possible improvement.

No idea is a bad idea and the NEC in my view have to tackle this ongoing issue before it is too late. I would also like to see some of leading Ladies in Munster be at the very forefront of any initiatives that may be rolled out.

Best of luck to all our ladies competing this weekend, enjoy it and play well.

Winners: Cork
Runners-up: Tipperary

(with many thanks once again to Paul O'Brien)