Hosts and pre-tournament favourites Cork romped to a 15-shot victory in the Inter-County Pitch and Putt championship at Rocklodge over the weekend. The 1997 champions and runners-up for the last three years, Cork finally regained their grip on the Anchor Cup with a 59-under-par aggregate of 373 to beat the holders Kildare, with Louth placed third on 390.

Inspired by a magnificent 12-under-par 42, which included an opening nine of 19 from Irish strokeplay champion John Cahill, Cork posted 30 under par for the first round to lead by five at the halfway mark. Cahill totalled 89 for his two rounds and was followed home by Darren Collins, who birdied three of the last five holes for 93, Chris Scannell, who was home in 23 for 94 and John Walsh with 96. Ray Murphy was the non-scorer with 97.

Peggy Campbell rolled in a birdie putt on the final green to give Dublin a nine-shot win in the women's championship. Geraldine Ward was again Dublin's best scorer with 103, Campell shot 105, Margaret O'Shea 109, Stella Sheridan 110 and Sheelagh Elmes 111. Kildare on 436 were second, with Cork on 449 third.