Two years ago, the little nine-hole Spanish Point links in West Clare didn’t have a pennant of any kind.

The implementation of a financial transaction tax has had a disastrous effect on the countries that have implemented it, according to Financial Services Ireland.

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.

Party time never seems to end for Cork Golf Club these days. Just as calm returns to Little Island after their successful 125th year celebrations, they are now turning their attentions to next week’s Irish Cups and Shields finals at Royal Tara for which they have qualified in the Barton Shield and Irish Senior Cup.

An ex-boyfriend of PR executive Kate Fitzgerald told an inquest yesterday that in the weeks before her death she felt her employers were trying to “show her the door”.

Newcastle West finally reached their destination after 74 years of trying yesterday when they lifted the Pierce Purcell Shield at Kinsale Golf Club.

NUI Maynooth struck a blow for Irish college golf yesterday as their Paddy Harrington scholars lifted the coveted Barton Shield on the second day of the All-Ireland Cups and Shields finals at Kinsale Golf Club.

Micheal Noonan, the finance minister, is not in favour of introducing a financial transaction tax as the Department of Finance says Ireland already has one — stamp duty.

IN THE weeks preceding St Patrick’s Day we get a myriad of enquiries from food and travel writers from all over the world who are honing their copy for the March 17 edition.

GREEN financial services has the potential to create at least 7,000 jobs within five years, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said yesterday.

ALL the drama and excitement associated with the Bulmers Irish Cups and Shields came very much to the fore at Kenmare Golf Club when Nenagh and Douglas qualified for the national finals of the Jimmy Bruen and Pierce Purcell Shields.

AT a time when so much focus in the world of golf is on the professional game, it is good to see that the amateurs are not being forgotten.

WHILE they celebrated at Clandeboye Golf Club last night after the inclusion of Jonathan Caldwell in the British & Irish team to play the US in the Walker Cup at Royal Co Down on September 9 and 10, there was disappointment at Banbridge when Richard Kilpatrick was omitted.

Regions Cup Group 3 qualifying tournament:

THE garda who authorised John Carthy’s detention for questioning over an arson incident did so without knowing in any detail what the grounds for detaining him were.

A Kevlin Flanagan penalty gave Cork City their first win over Longford in five meetings this season.