Although alternative travel plans had been put in place as a precautionary measure, Michael Hoey was able to join his Irish team-mates on the flight to Brussels last Sunday for the European Youths' championship which commence at Royal Waterloo tomorrow.

Hoey, as winner of the Irish Amateur Open strokeplay championship, had earned an invite to play in the Murphy's Irish Open - however, his failure to survive the midway cut meant the entire Irish party travelled out as one unit in their attempt to win the championship for a fifth time.

Indeed, this is one championship where Ireland have had tremendous success. Ireland's last victory came in Esberg, Denmark, in 1994 when Richie Coughlan and Keith Nolan were in the team, and there are genuine hopes that this team - captained by John Brett - can emulate that win.

The Irish team features Hoey, Alan Murray (Greystones), Colm Moriarty (Athlone), Tim Rice (Limerick), Dan Sugrue (Killarney) and Ricky Elliott (Royal Portrush). Intriguingly, three of them are current holders of national championships: Hoey is the Irish Close Boys' champion and Irish Open strokeplay champion; Rice is the Scottish Youths' Open champion, and Murray is the Irish Youths' Open champion. And, coincidentally, Rice and Eliott are students at Toledo University where Murray intends to attend in August.

The Clare shout could be heard all over Ballyhaunis last week when John Collins played the game of his life to win the Ted Webb Cup. The 40-year-old Chief Accountant with Irish Country Meats blazed the Ballyhaunis trail in 75 shots for a winning 57 off an 18 handicap.

The Ted Webb Cup is in honour of the former Mayo footballer Ted Webb who died in an accident 22 years ago. John, a native of Kilmihill in County Clare, had nine shots to spare over second placed Alo Reddington with Frankie Dillon a shot further back on 67.