Amateur Scene: The Irish women's team will attempt to re-write history this week by winning the Home Internationals at Dundalk Golf Club, starting tomorrow, for an unprecedented third consecutive year.
Ireland have not won on home soil since 1907, but with an ever improving side, the Irish are quietly confident of lifting the trophy for a third time following wins at Cruden Bay in 2003 and at Royal Porthcawl last year.
"We were very happy with our practice over the Dundalk course last week," said team captain Sheena O'Brien Kenney. "We know our opposition will be stronger than ever this year, but we're well prepared and excited to have the opportunity to challenge for the three-in-a-row.
"A good team morale added to the expected healthy home support will help tip the balance in our favour."
Ireland's Vagliano Trophy stars, Irish champion Tricia Mangan, British Amateur championship runner-up Claire Coughlan and Helen Holm winner Martina Gillen, add depth to an already impressive Irish squad which includes Irish Open Strokeplay champion Tara Delaney, St Rule runner-up Heather Nolan and 2004 Irish Close champion Deirdre Smith.
In a vastly experienced team, the only changes to last year's winning line-up are Kent State University student Tara Delaney and the recalled Maria Dunne, in place of Sinead O'Sullivan and Helen Jones respectively.
Ireland open the defence of their title against a well-seasoned Scottish side that includes Vagliano Trophy members Anne Laing, Clare Queen and Heather Macrae.
Macrae, from Dunblane, won the British Open Amateur Strokeplay championship last month in Nairn.
In a repeat of last year's climax, when Queen won a play-off for the trophy, it was the in-form Macrae who triumphed at the first extra hole of a shoot-out against Australian Nicole Gergely.
Wales bring a relatively inexperienced team and face Ireland on Thursday, while the crunch match is expected on Friday when England, still smarting from last year's defeat on the final day, as Ireland took the singles to retain the title and leave England to share second place with Wales, look for revenge.
The England team, captained by Beverley New, aim to crown a season in which they have already won the European Girls' Home International Championship and taken the silver medal in the European Women's Team Championship, and they have a fine mixture of youth and experience.
Included in the senior side are three members of the winning girls team - Jodie Ewart, Felicity Johnson and Kiran Matharu - plus the experience of Curtis Cup players Emma Duggleby, Kerry Smith and Sophie Walker.
The Irish men's team to compete in the Seniors Home Internationals at Lahinch Golf Club from September 27th-29th is: Sean Coyne (Killarney), Maurice Kelly (Killeen), Michael Malone (Belvoir Park), Michael Morris (Portmarnock), Hugh Mackeown (Portmarnock), Seamus McParland (Greenore) and Hugh Smyth (Mourne). The non-playing captain is Albert Lee (Mullingar).
Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin) and Danielle McVeigh (Royal Co Down Ladies) will be Ireland's representatives in the Duke of York Young Champions Trophy tournament over Castletown Links on the Isle of Man from September 20th to 23rd. Irish Close champion McVeigh was Ireland's sole qualifier at the British Girls' Open Amateur Championship at West Hill in August, while boys international Kearney was a two-shot winner of the Boys Close title at Kilkeel.
A strongly fancied Mullingar team will take on the Castle in the final of the Menolly Homes/ILGU Inter-Club Fourball final at the K Club on Sunday week (September 18th, 10.30am). Both sides registered decisive victories in the semi-final matches played at Carlow Golf Club. Mullingar always had the edge against Ballybofey/Stranorlar while Castle defeated Nenagh with the final match going to the 18th green.
The ILGU will be well represented in this year's final with Mullingar sporting the 2001-02 union president Cathy Smith as team captain while Castle field the current chief executive, Sinead Heraty.
Over 200 clubs entered the competition in April, and the final two teams have each survived eight gruelling rounds to reach the final. Each finalist is appearing at this stage of the competition for the first time. Last year's winners, Roscommon, exited at the first hurdle, while beaten finalists Cahir Park were beaten in this year's fifth round.
WOMEN'S HOME INTERNATIONALS (at Dundalk GC)
Match Schedule (8.30am foursomes, 1.10pm singles): Tomorrow: England v Wales; Ireland v Scotland. Thursday: Ireland v Wales; Scotland v England. Friday: Ireland v England; Wales v Scotland.
TEAMS
IRELAND: Claire Coughlan (Cork), Tara Delaney (Carlow), Maria Dunne (Skerries), Martina Gillen (Beaverstown), Tricia Mangan (Ennis), Maura Morrin (The Curragh), Heather Nolan (Shannon), Deirdre Smith (County Louth)
ENGLAND: Emma Duggleby (Malton & Norton), Laura Eastwood (Yelverton), Naomi Edwards (Ganton), Jodie Ewart (Catterick), Felicity Johnson (Harborne), Kiran Matharu (Cookridge Hall), Kerry Smith (Waterlooville), Sophie Walker (Kenwick Park)
SCOTLAND: Krystle Caithness (St Regulus), Anne Laing (Vale of Leven), Fiona Lockhart (St Regulus), Clare Queen (Drumpellier), Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle), Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies), Gemma Webster (Hilton Park), Jenna Wilson (Strathaven)
WALES: Kimberley Boulden (Maesdu), Tara Davies (Holyhead), Stephanie Evans (Vale of Llangollen), Lucy Gould (Bargoed), Lydia Hall (Royal Porthcawl), Sahra Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan), Sarah Jones (Pennard), Breanne Loucks (Wrexham)
