Enniscrone’s Sarah Helly gave herself an unforgettable 23rd birthday present when she shocked hot favourite Olivia Mehaffey by six and five to claim the Irish Women’s Amateur Close Championship over the Old Tom Morris Links at stunning Rosapenna.

Irish women’s golf has gone through many ups and downs over the years but there has nearly always been a big star to keep things ticking over, from a Philomena Garvey or Clarrie Reddan to a Mary McKenna or a Maureen Madill.

Olivia Mehaffey carries Irish hopes into the Ladies’ British Open Amateur Championship semi-finals at Portstewart this morning – after world number one Leona Maguire suffered a shock last 16 defeat in round three.

Like the 46A bus to Dun Laoghaire, which would take an age to come and then arrive with another stuck to its exhaust pipe, there are signs that things are about to start moving apace in Irish golf.