Scrabo's Andrew McCormick put a poor start behind him to grab the early lead in the East of Ireland Championship at Co Louth.

Rory McIlroy was in form again today as Ulster secured the Interprovincial Championship crown at Ballyliffin.

Ulster and Leinster today enjoyed convincing Interprovicial victories at the Ballyliffin Golf Club.

Ulster and Leinster both hold comfortable leads at the Interprovincial Championship at Ballyliffin after today's action.

Warrenpoint senior international and former professional Jim Carvill was put out of the North of Ireland Championship in the second round by Ballymena scratch handicapper Alex McCoy at Royal Portrush today.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy is still on course for the Radisson SAS West of Ireland title at Rosses Point after producing a stellar performance to beat Scrabo’s Ryan Boal with a birdie at the 20th in the first round.

FIFTEEN years ago, Warrenpoint’s Jim Carvill travelled to Lahinch for his first South of Ireland Championship.

Scores from the Irish Amateur Open Championship at Carton House Golf Club (O'Meara Course).

CRAIG SMITH, a 6 foot 7 inch tall, 23 year-old from Cardiff, became the third overseas winner of the AIB Irish Amateur Open Championship since the event was revived in 1995 by mounting a highly impressive rearguard action over the Montgomerie course at Carton House, Co Kildare.

Holywood teenager Rory McIlroy cruised into the last 16 of the Standard Life West of Ireland Championship with two brilliant performances at Rosses Point.

NOEL PYNE first played in the Shell South of Ireland Championship when still a leaving certificate student at St Flannan’s College, Ennis.

Mullingar’s John Morris opened with a five under par 67 to take a one shot lead in the East of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at Co Louth yesterday.

COLM MORIARTY (Athlone) and Justin Kehoe (Birr) have been selected to compete in the Lake Macquarie Amateur Championship and the NSW Medal and Amateur Championship in Australia early in the New Year.

LITTLE progress is reported in the search for a sponsor prepared to maintain the status and reputation of the Irish Open.

IRELAND’S hopes of winning their first Amateur Home International title for 11 years were scuppered in the sunshine at Royal St David’s Harlech yesterday when Wales overcame them 8.1/2 to 6.1/2 in a contest even closer than the scoreline suggests.

IT’S only when you see the fun and the action at close range that the success of the Bulmers cups and shields really strikes home.

ALTHOUGH there has been a serious drain to the professional ranks, especially where outstanding players like Graeme McDowell, Michael Hoey and Stephen Browne are concerned, Irish captain Eddie Dunne is positive where his team’s prospects in this week’s home international at Royal St David’s, Harlech, are concerned.

A WEEKEND holding out so much promise for Clare opened on the brightest possible note at Galway yesterday when Woodstock captured their first national pennant with a convincing Pierce Purcell Shield final victory over Moyola Park from Co Derry.

A POWERFUL Clandeboye quartet boasting a combined handicap total of plus seven strode to an impressive victory in the Bulmers Barton Shield at Galway Golf Club yesterday.

THE sun shone brightly on the picturesque Galway Golf Club course throughout yesterday during the final practice rounds for the Bulmers Irish Cups and Shields finals beginning at the Salthill venue this morning.

WHILE there was understandable surprise that Graeme McDowell should have emerged victorious in only his fourth appearance on the European Tour on Sunday, those who have followed his progress in the amateur ranks both here in Ireland and on the collegiate circuit in the United States were confident he was destined for great things in the game of golf.

A BIRDIE, birdie finish enabled Eoin O'Sullivan, a 27-year-old Dubliner from The Island club, to turn a two shot deficit with two to play into a one stroke advantage as he clinched the biggest victory of his career at Mullingar yesterday.

IF handicaps are a reliable criteria then the entry for the Shell South of Ireland Championship starting at Lahinch today is assuredly the strongest ever.

Lee bogeyed the 17th to drop alongside Clarke and Casey on one under, but Swindon’s David Howell, beaten in a play-off for the British Masters four weeks ago, and Australian left-hander Richard Green improved to three under.