A Maynooth University team of considerable talent has emerged as warm favourites to capture the AIG Irish Senior Cup, having come through the Leinster qualifying section in highly impressive fashion.

As parting shots go, Gary McDermott’s pitch onto the 18th green at Royal Tara was pretty special as the 2013 AIG All-Ireland Cups & Shields National Finals reached their climax in Meath on Saturday.

Spanish Point gave Munster golf another reason to cheer at the AIG All-Ireland Cups & Shields National finals when they lifted the Pierce Purcell Shield at Royal Tara Golf Club.

Cork Golf Club’s dreams of an AIG All-Ireland Cups & Shields National Finals double may have been dashed already this week but the team is being backed to bounce back in today’s Senior Cup semi-finals.

Ballybunion ended a 34-year national title drought yesterday when its all-teenage team lifted the Junior Cup on day two of the AIG All-Ireland Cups & Shields National Finals at Royal Tara Golf Club.

County Sligo remain on target for the first part of a potential title double at the AIG All-Ireland Cups & Shields National Finals after booking a place in today’s Barton Shield decider at Royal Tara Golf Club.

There are dreams of a notable double in Cork and Co. Sligo at this week’s AIG All-Ireland Cups & Shields National finals but both clubs are determined to focus solely on the task at hand as the Barton Shield semi-finals get under way at Royal Tara Golf Club in Meath today.

Fourteen Irish golfers begin the second stage of the European Tour qualifying school at four venues throughout Spain today.

Three Irish golfers, Peter O’Keeffe (Muskerry), Damian Mooney (Ballyliffin) and Mark Staunton (Ballinasloe), take part in the first European Tour School at the Roxburghe Hotel, Kelso, Scotland today.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom for Holywood tyros yesterday.

Garth McGimpsey retained his Tourism Malaysia-sponsored Irish senior men’s amateur golf title after a tense final day at Clandeboye.

Ireland’s Paul Cutler sits just one shot off the pace at the EuroPro Tour’s Audi Cork Irish Masters with plenty of Irishmen still in contention heading into today’s third and final round at Fota Island.

DAVID HIGGINS suffered a huge reverse in his bid to win back his tour card when he crashed to a four over 74 in the third round of the European Tour Qualifying School finals at PGA Catalunya Resort.

PETER LAWRIE credited a new putting technique with helping to give him the outright lead after the first round of the Czech Open yesterday.

PORTUGUESE Ladies champion Leona Maguire and her twin sister Lisa, the current Spanish Ladies champion, will lead the Irish challenge at the inaugural Irish U-18 Strokeplay Championship at Knightsbrook Hotel Spa and Golf Resort in Co. Meath next weekend.

THOMAS BJORN and Carlos Del Moral both shot rounds of 65 to share a two-shot lead at the top of the Estoril Open leaderboard at the end of the second day.

Tony Hayes (K Club) set the pace after the opening round of the 54 holes Irish Seniors Amateur Close Championship, sponsored by Tourism Malaysia, when he shot a one under par 71 at Roscommon Golf Club.

Ireland retained the European Amateur Team Championship for the first time in 41 years on Saturday.

England’s Jonathan Hurst has set his sights on the West of Ireland Amateur Open title after a level-par 71 gave him the first round lead at wind-blown Rosses Point today.

Clandeboye’s Jonathan Caldwell fired a sensational course record equalling 65 as Ireland clinched a top flight place at the European Amateur Team Championships in Scotland.

The team to represent Ireland in the European Team Championship at Western Gailes Golf Club, Scotland, 7th July 3 and 7:

Clandeboye's Jonathan Caldwell made it a birthday to remember, finishing joint top at the Golfsure Irish Amateur Close at Cork yesterday.

Limerick's Pat Murray fired a three under par 69 to share the first round lead in the East of Ireland Amateur Championship at Baltray.

Rory McIlroy struggled to a six-over par 78 in the first round of the Brabazon Trophy at the Forest of Arden.

Rory McIlroy lost his way on the back nine as Czech champion Marek Novy grabbed the first round lead in the AIB Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin.

The Irish Team to compete in the 2006 Home Internationals at Pyle and Kenfig Golf Club in

Dunmurry's Darren Crowe is on course for his second amateur major in the space of a fortnight after cruising into the last four of the South of Ireland Championship at Lahinch.

Warrenpoint’s Jim Carvill got his title defence off to a winning start in the South of Ireland Championship at Lahinch today.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy cruised into the last 16 of the Golfsure Irish Amateur Close at The European Club.

Odd couple Rory McIlroy and Adrian Morrow survived the carnage to lead after the first qualifying round of the Golfsure Irish Amateur Close Championship at the European Club.

Chile's Hugo Leon carded a brilliant five-under-par 67 to grab the clubhouse lead in the East of Ireland Amateur Open at Baltray.

Chile's Hugo Leon carded a brilliant five under par 67 to grab the clubhouse lead in the East of Ireland Amateur Open at Baltray.

USA's J Baldwin leads the Irish Seniors Amateur Open Championship after three rounds.

Co Louth's B Reddan leads the Irish Seniors Amateur Open Championship after the first round at Limerick Golf Club.

Clandeboye’s Jonathan Caldwell fired a three under par 69 to grab the first round lead in the AIB Irish Amateur Open at Portmarnock.

GRANTS totalling €65,000 were awarded by the Irish Sports Council to leading Irish golfers.

Irish Amateur Close Championship at Westport Golf Club

The Irish Amateur Close Championship at Westport Golf Club

Brian McElhinney, winner of the British Amateur Championship at Royal Birkdale last weekend heads Ireland’s team for the European Team Championship which will be played over the Hillside course in Southport, England, from June 28 to July 2.

East of Ireland Championship 2005

Rory McIlroy of Holywood Golf Club has won the Nissan Irish Boys Amateur Close Championship