A look at today's other stories in golf
Shaw sets sights
Four of the six-man Irish team that won the European Team Championship at Western Gailes GC, Scotland, two weeks ago, will tee-up in the Grant Thornton-sponsored Mullingar Scratch Cup at Mullingar GC on Sunday and Monday.Since its inauguration in 1963, when it was won by the late great JB Carr, this tournament has attracted all of Ireland's leading amateurs and in the past, many notables from overseas.
Missing this year is British Open silver medal winner Rory McIlroy, who was involved in play-offs for the past two years. McIlroy lost out to his international team-mate from Lurgan, Gareth Shaw in 2005 but went one better in 2006 by overcoming another team-mate Simon Ward from Co Louth in a play-off.
Shaw, recent winner of The North Of Ireland Championship, will be joined by last year's runner-up Ward, Johnny Cauldwell (Clandeboye) and the Irish Close champion Shane Lowry (Esker Hills). All four were members of the winning Irish team in Scotland. Also competing are Séamus Power (West Waterford), Irish Youth Champion Niall Kearney (Dublin), Joe Lyons (Galway), West of Ireland winner Dara Lernihan (Castle), Cian Curley ( New lands), Jim Carvill (Warrenpoint), Cian McNamara (Limerick), Arron O'Callaghan (Douglas).
Delaney in lead role
Leinster will be looking for their fourth successive Ladies Interprovincial title when the three-day tournament starts at Portarlington GC tomorrow.
Irish Champion Karen Delaney (Carlow) will lead the Leinster attack at Portarlington, starting tomorrow. Delaney is joined by her sister, Tara, in a strong Leinster side boasting all but one of last year's team. The province has dominated the championship since 1964 with a total of 28 outright victories compared to Munster's five and Ulster's four titles.
Munster, reeling from the loss of Claire Coughlan and Tricia Mangan for this year's event, field a youthful line-up with junior internationals Sarah Cunningham (Ennis) and Holli Snelling (Killarney) in action. Beaten Irish finalist Marion Riordan (Tipperary) strengthens their chances while past double champion Eileen Rose Power adds a wealth of experience to Mary Sheehy's side.
Connacht once again field a young side capable of beating any team on their day. Indeed internationals Niamh Kitching (Claremorris), runner-up in the Irish Strokeplay, and Sinead O'Sullivan (Galway) will join underage internationals Emma Gilmore (Mountbellew) and Anne McCormack (Roscommon) in a team that will form troublesome opponents for any side.
Ulster field three of Ireland's hottest prospects as Stephanie Meadow (Royal Portrush) and the Maguire twins, Lisa and Leona (Slieve Russell) make their first appearance at senior representative level. Add the in-form Danielle McVeigh (RCDL) and Victoria Bradshaw (Bangor) to their line-up and this side is arguably the strongest fielded in recent years.
SCHEDULE: Tomorrow: Leinster v Munster; Connacht v Ulster. Thursday: Munster v Connacht; Leinster v Ulster. Friday: Ulster v Munster; Connacht v Leinster.
Congdon in control
Darragh Congdon (Clontarf) shot a final round of two-under-par 70 to win the Titleist Footjoy-sponsored Leinster Boys' Amateur Open at Beaverstown Golf Club last week. His four-round total of six-over-par 294 on the testing Beaverstown course left him one shot clear from Dunmurry's Noel Murray. David Weldon from The Island finished one shot further back on 296, with leading qualifier Garth McGee finishing fourth on 298.
Barton Cup semis
The semi-final of the 2007 FBD Barton Cup has Tullamore against Padraig Harrinton's Stackstown; with three matches at home for the Offaly.
In the bottom half of the draw, Bray who were the first winners of the Barton Cup in 1905, play recent winners Cill Dara. The matches have to be played on or before August 5th: in the quarter-finals Tullamore beat Mullingar; Stackstown edged out Corrstown; Bray accounted for newcomers South County and Cill Dara's experience was too much for Callan.
Ulster defend title
Ulster look to retain their under-15 Girls Interprovincial title when play commences at Portarlington this morning. In this morning's semi-finals the defending champions have been drawn against Connacht, with Munster facing Leinster. The two winning provinces will compete in the final this afternoon, with the decider scheduled to start at 1pm.
The defending champions, Ulster, look strongest to lift the title. Last year's inaugural event was held at Athy and proved so successful it led to the ILGU holding professional coaching targeting under-13 players over the winter months. Connacht, Munster and Leinster each field a team with at least one representative from last year.
Cullen holds nerve
After leading by three shots overnight following an opening round of level par 72, Beaverstown's Gary Cullen held on to win the Wicklow Open title at Tulfarris last Tuesday in what was part of the Celtic Pro Tour. Cullen had led from four players - Peter James (Belmont Lodge, England), Gavin McNeill (Waterford), Greg Bowden (Hermitage) and James Fox (Portmarnock) - after the opening 18 holes, and a second round of 73 gave him a 36-hole total of 145 to win by one stroke from Hermitage's Bowden, who fired a second round 71 for 146.
Victory for Cullen saw him take home the top prize of €1,400, with Bowden winning €700.
Tied for third place were Alan Murray (Greystones) and the winner of the first Irish event at Seafield, the Wexford Open, Gavin McNeill on 149 (+5).
The third place finish puts McNeill to the top of the current Shamrock Tour Order of Merit, with one remaining event to be played in October at a venue to be confirmed.
Fifth place was shared by Mark O'Sullivan (Galway), Andy Lambert (Belmont Lodge, England) and Kevin McGrath (Birr). The leading amateur prize was also shared by James Fox (Portmarnock) and Dara O'Neill (European Club).
Dolan delivers
Padraig Harrington wasn't the only one celebrating last Sunday week. As the Dubliner won the British Open, Mary Dolan will always remember July 22nd as the day she was a runaway winner of Padraic Duffy's President's Prize at Westport GC. Lady Captain of the Mayo club in 1999, the 19-handicapper played some impressive Sunday golf to fire a superb 44 points and leave the rest of the field trailing in her wake.
Her margin of victory was five points from Nora Heraty (24), with Patricia Kelly (18) a further two points back in third spot, while Carmel O'Connor was the gross winner.
Meanwhile, Westport's open week begins on August 4th. Places on the timesheet are available by phoning the club during office hours at 098 28262.
Griffin consistent
The consistent golf of Louise Griffin was rewarded with two podium finishes last week in Ballybunion. First in the Eileen Murphy foursomes event, herself and Ann O'Keeffe (21) fired 41 points to secure runners-up spot behind Clare Hurley (22) and Elizanne McMahon (30) who won with 46 points. But on Saturday in the Lady Captain's Charity Day over the Old Course, 17-handicapper Griffin teamed up with Mary Fagan (13), Ann Marie Carroll (19) and Aideen O'Leary (36) to shoot 90 points and claim victory, two ahead of their closest rivals.
Campbell hits form
IT was a good week for Nicola Campbell in Balbriggan last week as she collected two victories. First in the Sheila Fitzgerald Trophy, a scotch foursomes event, she partnered Brid Taylor to a narrow victory (on the back three) over Joan Tully and Ina Hudson after both fired rounds of 73. Then on Sunday in the open fourball competition, the 12-handicapper linked up with Evelyn Clinton (13) to record 40 points and win by three from Helen Tarrent (17) and Mary McGoff (25).
Busy at Balbriggan
Balbriggan GC will be a busy venue for junior golfers over the next two weeks. The Squire Ennis Trophy, for teams of three foursomes pairings, will take place on August 8th, followed by the Hanley Cup on August 15th. Entry fee for the Squire Ennis Trophy is €30 per team with a handicap limit of 19 and a minimum combined of 16.
Time sheet available with Pat McGrath at 086-8634809. The entry fee for the Hanly Cup, for boys and girls under-18 on January 1st, is €5 euro and the time sheet is available at 01-8412229.
