TWENTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD Niall Kearney from Royal Dublin is the only Irish player in the British & Irish Walker Cup team to face the United States at Merrion, Pennsylvania, next month.

THIS will be a big weekend on and off the course for several of our leading golfers.

BRIAN McELHINNEY is the only Irish player on the Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team to defend the trophy in Chicago.

ALTHOUGH there has been a serious drain to the professional ranks, especially where outstanding players like Graeme McDowell, Michael Hoey and Stephen Browne are concerned, Irish captain Eddie Dunne is positive where his team’s prospects in this week’s home international at Royal St David’s, Harlech, are concerned.

BARRY REDDAN is set to become the oldest winner of the Shell-sponsored South of Ireland Championship.