Gary Hurley’s charge towards the European Amateur title was halted as thunder and lightning forced an early finish on day three on the Dukes course at St Andrews.

Ireland had to play second fiddle to Spain in the final of the European Amateur Team Championship in Finland at the weekend — a 5-2 trouncing meant they returned home yesterday with the silver medal.

A record-equalling seven under par 66 moved West Waterford’s Gary Hurley into joint fifth in the English Open stroke-play championship for the Brabazon Trophy at Seaton Carew, Hartlepool on Saturday.

Fota Island Resort chief executive Jonathan Woods has called for more international sporting and music events to be staged in Munster following the overwhelming success of the Irish Open in Cork at the weekend.

Cormac Sharvin (Ardglass) won the Silver Medal as leading qualifier in the AIG sponsored Irish Amateur Close Championship at Connemara GC yesterday when he shot a six under par 66 in the second round.

An international expert in noise has advised the Department of the Environment that new guidelines on acceptable noise emissions from wind turbines must take account of existing ambient noise levels in individual communities.

The Irish Bank Officials Association said today that it is disappointed at the confirmation of Ulster Bank's plans to close 22 branches across the island of Ireland.

RORY McILROY and Padraig Harrington will continue their single-minded chase for major glory by doing things their own special way next season.

A FORMER head of finance with National Irish Bank is opposing an application by the director of corporate enforcement for a court order disqualifying him from involvement in the management of any company on unfitness grounds.

Banbridge's Richard Kilpatrick fired a sensational six-under par 66 to scorch into an impressive six-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the East of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at Co Louth.

Former Shamrock Rovers striker Stephen Grant fired a sensational course record 64 in the first round of the Radisson SAS sponsored West of Ireland Championship at Rosses Point.

Venetia Williams was in double form at Plumpton on Monday following wins for De Blanc and Idole First, with the latter now a possible for a return trip to the Cheltenham Festival.

THE Director of Corporate Enforcement is seeking documents from the inspectors who investigated the National Irish Bank tax evasion scandal of the 1990s.

Eamon Logue is the surprise overnight leader after the first round in the Smurfit PGA Irish Region Championship at Westport.

Des Smyth, winner of the Madiera Open this season, has brought his total of Smurfit PGA Irish Championship wins to six with a three shots win over the holder Paul mcGinley at Castlerock.

Despite a brave bid by Des Smyth, defending champion Paul McGinley is the

Philip Walton put in a stroming finish at sunny Castlerock when he carded a two-under-par 71 to snatch the overnight lead in the first round of the £110,000 Smurfit PGA Irish Region Championship.

Smurfit PGA Irish championship qualifier at Seapoint