Birdies, an albatross, pars and bogeys all added to the excitement of the captain's (Dr John Horgan) prize at Royal Dublin last Saturday when Sean McKeon edged out Cyril Byrne on the back nine after both players had shot 41 points each.

McKeon, who plays off 14, was just too good for Byrne, who had won the Leinster Boys' championship some 40 years ago and now plays off seven. From a field of 286 players - the first teeing off at 5.50 a.m. and the last at 5.15 p.m. - 28 players had birdie twos at the par threes. But the highlight of the day must go to Brian Kennedy, who holed out his three wood second shot at the par five, 439 metres, 14th hole for the albatross.