Make no mistake — despite having 15 candidates to choose from due to the merger of two former Kerry constituencies into one, three of the five seats on offer in this sprawling area are already effectively decided.

NIALL TURNER, the former Muskerry golfer was last night left to rue four bogeys he simply couldn’t afford to concede if he was to come through yesterday’s final qualifying rounds for the British Open Championship.

Bob Geldof is to receive a European prize for his promotion of human rights.

North Fermanagh clubman Robert Kerr steps into the highest office in Irish cricket on February 1, when he will be installed as President of the Irish Cricket Union, at its Annual Meeting in Dundalk.