CUPS AND SHIELDS: THERE WAS a Leinster versus Munster, Dublin versus Cork thing going on in the final encounter of the Bulmers-sponsored All-Ireland Cup and Shields finals before Clontarf denied host club Monkstown to win their first Jimmy Bruen Shield pennant.

After a thoroughly convincing semi-final win over Strandhill in the semi-finals, the Cork club were confident home advantage would guide them to an All-Ireland in the club's centenary year. However, it wasn't to be as a youthful Clontarf side were equally determined and ran out 4-1 victors.

Michael Kellett and 15-year-old Neal O'Flynn put Clontarf's first point on the board with a 6 and 5 thumping of Monkstown's John Tobin and Niall Kennedy, before Michael Fahy and Seán Stone doubled the advantage with their 3 and 1 win over Nick Hayes and Carl Toal, who had won their semi-final encounter 8 and 6.

The responsibility of getting over the line fell on the young shoulders of Mark Brennan (20) and Niall Lyons (16), who won the last three holes to secure Clontarf's day in the sun with a two-holes victory over Ken Tracy and Donal McCarthy in the top match.

Lyons' swinging par-saving putt from 20 feet at the 16th to get back to all-square was a pivotal moment in the match. "Once it came off the putter face I knew it was in the hole," said Lyons who is a fifth-year student at St Paul's in Dublin.

"This is by far the biggest thing I played in, my first All-Ireland. When we pulled into the car-park at the start of the week, it felt like an Irish Open to me with the GUI truck, banners and huge support. It's been an amazing experience."

The magnitude of the success wasn't wasted on an emotional team captain, Brian Looby: "It's a long time since we won anything as big as this. We're a small club and don't get on to the big stage too often. It's great to get this far, then go on and win," said Looby, noting Clontarf's last notable success was in the inaugural Irish Mixed Foursomes back in 1973.

"It's not often you get a young group together, we've five players between the ages of 15 and 21 and that's a great foundation for any team."

Supporters also came out in their droves to witness Warrenpoint win their third Senior Cup title when they defeated Munster champions Castletroy 4-1 in the final.

Paul Reavey (20) was sent out number one again and once more he produced the goods in defeating Castletroy's Eamonn Haugh 3 and 2, while Colm Campbell Jnr enjoyed a convincing 5 and 3 three win over John Kavanagh in the bottom match.

Two former professionals in Paddy Gribben and Jim Carvill plus Gribben's nephew Ryan formed a strong backbone for Warrenpoint in the middle matches.

Gribben turned the screw with a birdie at 15 when he knocked a wedge to one foot at the par five 15th before closing out his match against Stephen Moloney at the 17th (2 and 1).

Carvill and Ryan were then called in when the outcome was decided. It was a perfect send-off for two-handicapper Ryan as he turns pro next week and will do his PGA exams under head professional Enda McLoughlin at County Wicklow Golf Club.

"That's three and three now," said Carvill reflecting on his three Senior Cup wins to go with three Barton Shield All-Ireland medals. "This team is as good as the 1987 and 1990 teams I played on when we last won the Senior Cup."

"The Senior Cup is the pinnacle of amateur team golf. We knew we had a chance this year with Jim and I back, plus you have to hand it to the kids," added Gribben senior.

Warrenpoint team captain Rory McShane has been at the helm for all three Senior Cup wins after returning to the role this year.

"This is my third captain's senior cup medal. We won in Leinster and Connacht and now in Munster, so all that's needed is a fourth in Leinster to complete the provincial set," said McShane.

"The young guys have really come of age this year and it's a good strong squad with Paddy and Jim back. They have been totally committed and deserve all the rewards."

CUP AND SHIELDS FINALS: Senior Cup final- Castletroy 1 Warrenpoint 4 (Castletroy names first: Eamonn Haugh lost to Paul Reavey 3 and 2; Jason Tobin halved with Ryan Gribben; Stephen Moloney lost to Paddy Gribben 2 and 1; Cian Daly halved with Jim Carvill; John Kavanagh lost to Colm Campbell Jnr 5 and 3). Jimmy Bruen Shield final- Monkstown 1 Clontarf 4 (Monkstown names first: Ken Tracy and Donal McCarthy lost to Mark Brennan and Niall Lyons 2 holes; Nick Hayes and Carl Toal lost to Michael Fahy and Seán Stone 3 and 1; Denis Daly and John Barry halved with Conor Harrington and Tim O'Connell; John Tobin and Niall Kennedy lost to Michael Kellett and Neal Flynn 6 and 5; Dave O'Leary and Mark Hickey halved with Stephen Kealy and Tony Stanley