Amateur Scene: West of Ireland champion Rory McIlroy has been nominated by the Golfing Union of Ireland to compete in the Nissan Irish Open Championship, which will be played over the Montgomerie course at Carton House from Thursday to Sunday, May 19th to 22nd.

The sponsors of the Irish Open have invited the GUI to nominate three amateurs to compete in the championship. The other two will be selected following the AIB-sponsored Irish Amateur Open Championship which will be played over the O'Meara course at Carton House on Friday to Sunday, May 6th-8th.

McIlroy, at 15, became the youngest winner of the West of Ireland Championship in its 83-year history, eclipsing Cecil Ewing, who won it for the first time aged 19. McIlroy defeated David Finn (Mallow) in a classic final 2 and 1 despite being two down after seven holes.

The Holywood golfer, who will celebrate his 16th birthday on May 4th, is also the reigning Irish Boys champion, a title won at Castlebar in August before adding the Irish Youths title to his growing list of achievements

Gerard O'Toole, executive chairman of Nissan, said: "We are delighted to invite the Golfing Union of Ireland to nominate three amateur golfers to play in the Nissan Irish Open and especially pleased that young Rory McIlroy has been selected.

"We are very happy to be associated with the GUI in the development of junior golf in Ireland through our sponsorship of the Nissan Irish Boys championship and it is wonderful the current champion now has the opportunity to play in the Nissan Irish Open at such a young age."

Meanwhile, five other members of Ireland's amateur Elite squad will be endeavouring to follow in the footsteps of Ireland's only two pervious winners of the Lytham Trophy at Royal Lytham and St Annes next weekend. The late Tom Craddock from Malahide Golf Club and Martin Sludds from neighbours The Island are the only Irish players to have their names engraved on the famous trophy, in 1969 and 1982 respectively.

This year Irish champion Brian McElhinney will lead a five-strong assault on the 72-hole event, and he is joined by Michael McGeady (North West), Seán McTiernan (Co Sligo), Mark Campbell (Stackstown) and Darren Crowe (Dunmurry).

Back in the early 1960s some senior members of the Royal Lytham and St Annes Club felt there was a gap in the amateur calendar and the need for a major, 72-hole scratch competition. The English union helped to launch the event and to select the entrants. Various eminent Scottish, Irish and Welsh players were approached for their support. All gave it willingly and so was born the Lytham Trophy

Played over the May bank holiday weekend, it is now played solely at Royal Lytham with a round played on the Friday and Saturday and the final two rounds, for those that have made the cut, on the Sunday.

Every winner takes away a replica of the handsome "Sputnik" trophy donated by members subscriptions. All have been international golfers of the highest quality and many have gone on to be successful professionals.

The entry is now of the highest calibre and comes from all parts of Britain and Ireland, and in recent years from all over Europe. German Tino Schuster became the first winner from outside the "home nations" in 1999 with a four-round total of 283.

The competition also attracts the attention of national team selectors as it is the first major strokeplay event of the year.

Irish international Heather Nolan from Shannon was crowned Munster Senior Matchplay champion for the first time at Ballybunion last week when she proved far too strong for Maura Diamond from Royal Portrush in the final, winning 4 and 3.

Nolan, the most impressive player throughout the championship, played superb golf in the driving wind and rain, and despite a late Diamond fightback the issue was seldom in doubt. Nolan will start as one of the favourites for the Hermitage 36-hole Scratch Cup at the Hermitage on Sunday.

GAA president Seán Kelly gave his full backing to the FBD-sponsored All-Ireland interclub challenge which was launched at the South County Golf Club in Brittas yesterday. "I would encourage all GAA members to enter this year's event as it encompasses a great sporting ethos. It is rare these days that clubs can compete against each other on the basis where none have an advantage regardless of status or size," said Kelly.

The All-Ireland Challenge is open to all GAA clubs. Participating clubs compete in a provincial championship with the winners qualifying for the All-Ireland final at Faithlegg in Waterford on Saturday and Sunday, September 17th and 18th.

The Challenge is limited to 30 teams in each province with the provincial deciders taking place at Claremorris GC, Mayo, on July 8th; Co Tipperary GC, Dundrum, on July 15th; the Slieve Russell Hotel and Country Club, Cavan, on July 29th; and at Tulfarris Golf and Country Hotel, Wicklow, on August 12th.