Kilkenny teenager Mark Power is gunning to become the youngest winner of the West of Ireland since Rory McIlroy in 2006 after he completed two impressive wins on the opening day of matchplay combat at Rosses Point.

Nine of the eleven-strong Irish team that achieved a Grand Slam in last year’s Home Internationals and in the process completed a hat-trick of successes in the championship have entered for the Pierse Motors South of Ireland, starting with the first of two qualifying rounds at Lahinch next Wednesday.

Six PGA in Ireland professionals will compete at next week’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, hosted by the Rory Foundation at Portstewart.

Defending champion Paul O’Hanlon fell victim to Baltray’s bunkers as he let a sensational start slip away and opened with a one-under 71 in the East of Ireland Amateur Open at County Louth.

Conor O’Rourke, Naas, put a stuttering start to the season behind him by scorching to a stunning five under par 66 to grab a two-stroke lead after the first qualifying round of the Radisson Blu sponsored West of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at Co Sligo.

Two men who ran an escort agency in England which employed young girls from troubled backgrounds as child prostitutes have been jailed.

Castleknock 0-11

The AIG Senior Cup returned to Rosses Point on Saturday night as Co Sligo reclaimed Irish club golf’s blue riband title with a dramatic final victory over Leinster’s Castle at Carton House.

Tramore’s Robin Dawson hopes to wield his putter like a “hoover” rather than a deadly weapon as he seeks some AIG Irish Close Championship revenge in the last 16 today.

Marvel's Daredevil returns to Netflix on Friday the 18th of March and it looks like things are about to get a bit heavy for the blind lawyer from Hell's Kitchen.

In the opening Beginners’ Chase on this afternoon’s card at Fairyhouse, Altiepix has a gilt-edged opportunity to get off the mark over fences.

Peter Lawrie kept alive hopes of regaining his Tour card after a bizarre start to his Porsche European Open campaign at Bad Griesbach in Germany.

One of the great dynasties of Irish professional golf celebrates a major milestone this year when David Kinsella retires after 50 years of service at Castle Golf Club.

Check out our guide to the best shows to watch on TV tonight.

With handicaps ranging from plus 4 to 1.1, the high quality of the entry for the West Coast Hotels sponsored South of Ireland Championship beginning at Lahinch this morning is a source of considerable satisfaction for the organising committee.

Dolph Lundgren, Thomas Jane, Ray Stevenson and Jon Bernthal. What do they have in common?

Four golfers whose names don’t really ring a bell for followers of the amateur game have qualified for this morning’s semi-finals of the Clare Coast Hotels South of Ireland Championship at Lahinch.

Ronnie O’Sullivan was in relaxed mood after a straightforward first-round outing at the UK Championship against Scottish amateur Rhys Clark.

KILFINNANE AND CASTLE OLIVER LOOP

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

Shell-shocked skipper Nigel Edwards believes Great Britain and Ireland’s budding professionals need to improve their short games after late collapses allowed the Continent of Europe to claim the St Andrews Trophy in enemy territory for the first time.

A Paris-based Cajun star and Devon folkies are among the attractions at Shannonside Winter Music Weekend, writes Nicki ffrench Davis

THIS was more like it.

IT was more spit than polish at Musgrave Park as a workmanlike Munster kicked off their RaboDirect PRO12 campaign with four winning points on Saturday night.

Munster 20 Dragons 12

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

KEVIN PRENDERGAST and Declan McDonogh could well prove the combination to have on your side at Tipperary tonight.

NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS secured revenge over Connacht for an opening day Magners League thrashing in Galway this season by clinching a one-point victory at Rodney Parade.

ERIC ELWOOD had every reason to be “chuffed” about his side’s unexpected demolition of the Dragons on opening day.

Ospreys 42 Dragons 10

CONNACHT dented the Newport Gwent Dragons’ Magners League play-off hopes with a controlled performance at the Sportsground last evening.

The ultimate in video gaming - well into the future - sees humans able to manipulate and control other humans in vast online games.

Paul Dunne (Greystones) today became the first player to successfully defend the Irish Boys Amateur Close Championship with a two-stroke victory over Knock’s Colin Fairweather at Bangor Golf Club.

Three players sharing the lead after the opening round of the Irish Boys Amateur Close Championship at Bangor Golf Club today.

THIS will be a big weekend on and off the course for several of our leading golfers.

UNIVERSAL TRUTH, a horse who has been good to us in the past, is the nap choice in the Guinness Race at Galway tonight.

Portstewart's Paul Cutler gave his Walker Cup hopes a boost when he captured the East of Ireland Amateur Championship at Baltray.