Ulster began their defence of the Golfsure-sponsored men's Senior Interprovincial title in ominous fashion at Killarney's Lackabane course yesterday with a resounding 9 1/2 to 3 1/2 points win over hosts Munster.

Even without Walker Cup heroes Michael Hoey and Graeme McDowell the Ulstermen proved too good for a Munster side that will be disappointed to have just 3 1/2 points to show for their efforts.

And with Leinster forced to work hard before eventually beating Connacht 8-5, Ulster will be quietly confident they can complete a hat-trick of wins at the Kerry course tomorrow.

Led by non-playing captain David Young, Ulster won three of the four foursomes in the morning before tearing Munster apart after lunch, gleaning six wins and one half from nine singles matches.

Robert Forsythe's one-hole win over John Morris was typical of their play yesterday when, level with the Mullingar player playing the 18th, he fired a superb two-iron to within six feet of the flag to set up a winning birdie three.

Earlier, Tangragee's Stuart Paul had pulled off a great escape in his battle with Karl Bornemann, clinching a half that gave Ulster the seven-points they needed to secure overall victory.

Three down with six holes to play, Paul won the 14th and 16th with par threes to reduce the arrears before snatching a half with a fine par four at the closing hole after Bornemann's second shot had finished against the first cut of rough, leaving him with an awkward chip shot.

Leinster found Connacht to be a decidedly tough nut to crack before running riot in the singles. Trailing 2 1/2 to 1 1/2 at lunch, a fine early half for Gavin McNeill followed by wins for Justin Kehoe, Noel Fox, Adrian Morrow, Michael McGinley and Robert Cannon did the damage before Mark Campbell picked up a late win over Mark O'Sullivan.