The first day of the last big classic of the coursing season, the JP McManus Irish Cup, and there he was, Brian Tansey, taking up his usual position on the viewing balcony at the top of the stand in Limerick racecourse in Patrickswell.

The best line-up of golfing stars in Europe this year lines up at Adare in Ireland tomorrow and Tuesday – not for a European tour event, but for a pro-am.