Ashbourne GC must be wondering exactly what they have to do to win the Best Cup after losing out in the final for the second year in a row. Home advantage for The Island in last Sunday's second leg proved instrumental. Trailing 4-1 from the first series of matches, The Island turned the final totally around and eked out a 4 1/2-1/2 triumph in the second leg.

The decisive match turned out to be the battle of Denis Ryan and John Keane (The Island) against the Ashbourne pairing of Danny McKinney and Des Caulfield. In a fitting finale, the Islanders won the 17th and 18th with pars to half their match.