Runaway leading qualifier Ronan Mullarney from Galway is a stronger favourite than ever to capture the AIG Irish Close Championship at Ballybunion this week having needed only 28 holes to come through yesterday’s opening two match-play rounds.

Peter O’Keeffe can become the first man since Pádraig Harrington to complete a famous double after he saw off Kinsale’s John Murphy to reach the last 16 of the AIG Irish Amateur Close at the European Club.

Three men who were caught with almost €200,000 of cannabis have been jailed for terms of between three-and-a-half and four years.

Ireland’s hopes of retaining the R&A Trophy for the Boys Home International Championship suffered a jolt as they were agonisingly beaten 8-7 by hosts Scotland at Western Gailes in Ayrshire yesterday.

Former stonemason James Duggan of Funmanway Adventure Land has a firm foundation for his business after winning the Cork Innovates €12,500 business start-up bursary.