There was another night to remember at the end of a remarkable year as the Irish Golf Writers’ Association crowned Open champion Shane Lowry its Professional Player of the Year at its annual Allianz-sponsored awards.

Former Ryder Cup star Des Smyth has accepted the challenge of mentoring Ireland’s fledgling touring professionals.

Funding of almost €27m was announced by Sport Ireland yesterday, with hockey, modern pentathlon, Community Games, gymnastics, and golf among the big winners.

FORMER Ryder Cup star Phillip Walton is among the recipients of a quarter of a million euro grant allocation announced by the Team Ireland Golf Trust last night.