Royal County Down has a habit of punishing aggression but big hitting Douglas man Peter O’Keeffe kept his love of attack in check to open with a fine 70 in the Flogas Irish Amateur Open in idyllic conditions at the firm and fast Newcastle links.

Ireland bounced back from their European Amateur Team Championship quarter-final defeat to Italy with an impressive 3½-1½ win against Spain over France’s challenging Chantilly course.

Whatever about her Olympic hopes, Leona Maguire is certain to be an inspiration for Ireland in the European Ladies Team Championships at Helsingor Golf Club in Denmark today.

Old campaigners Pat Murray and Gary O’Flaherty can make their experience count in the first round of the AIG- sponsored Irish Amateur Close at Seapoint today.

He might be the last County Sligo man standing, but local hopeGary McDermott welcomes the pressure as he bids to become the first home winner of the West of Ireland Amateur Open Championship for 63 years.

Local teenager Sean Flanagan is still on track to claim the Co Sligo club’s first West of Ireland Amateur Open Championship since 1950 following his terrific showing in yesterday’s two matchplay rounds at Rosses Point.

THE FIVE major titles at stake were evenly distributed around the country when the Chartis Irish Cups and Shields festival came to a conclusion at Castlerock, Derry, on Saturday.

WOODSTOCK Golf Club from Ennis were celebrating last night after pulling off a superb victory in the final of the Chartis Pierce Purcell Shield.

DEFENDING champion Alan Dunbar hopes his batteries will be recharged when he tees it up at Royal Dublin this morning and takes on six of his fellow Walker Cup squad members in the Irish Amateur Open.

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.

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

Scotland's Gavin Dear has one-stroke lead entering Sunday's final 36 holes of the Irish Amateur Open at a windy Royal Dublin.

Hamburg's Philipp Westermann fired the first sub-par round of the week to race into the clubhouse lead in the Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin.

Gale force winds sent scores soaring in the opening round of the Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin.

Lucan's Richard O'Donovan recorded a fine opening round of 70 to lead after day one of the Irish Boys Amateur Close Championship at Portumna Golf Club.

LEINSTER include the three outstanding players of the amateur season so far — Shane Lowry, Niall Kearney and Paul O’Hanlon — in their side for the Interprovincial Championship getting under way at Athlone tomorrow.

Defending champion Darren Crowe crashed out of the weather-delayed South of Ireland championship at Lahinch.

Forrest Little's Eoin Arthurs romped to a four-stroke win in the East of Ireland Championship at Co Louth today.

Forrest Little's Eoin Arthurs took advantage of perfect early morning conditions to scorch to a six-under par 66 and a two stroke lead in the East of Ireland Amateur Championship at County Louth.

Portugal's Pedro Figueiredo took advantage of a spectacular eagle two to fire a course record five-under par 67 and snatch a share of the lead entering the final 36-holes of the AIB Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin.

Forrest Little's Eoin Arthurs fired a course record 68 to take the first round lead in the AIB Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin yesterday.

Five Irish internationals have made an early exit from the West of Ireland championship at Rosses Point.

Newlands’ Andrew Hogan defied 40 mph gusts to card a four-under par 67 and grab the silver medal for the leading qualifier in the West of Ireland Championship at Rosses Point.

England’s Jonathan Hurst has set his sights on the West of Ireland Amateur Open title after a level-par 71 gave him the first round lead at wind-blown Rosses Point today.

Lurgan's Gareth Shaw made two visits to the 20th before progressing to the last 16 of the South of Ireland Amateur Open at Lahinch.

Hurling great Davy Fitzgerald grabbed a shock win over Newlands’ Cian Curley in the South of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at Lahinch today.

Walker Cup hopeful Jonathan Caldwell staked a strong claim for selection in yesterday's Irish Amatuer Close Championship at Cork, where he shot a five under par 67 to lead the field after day one.

Richard Kilpatrick eagled the last to clinch an impressive eight-shot victory in the East of Ireland Championship at Co Louth today.

Banbridge's Richard Kilpatrick fired a sensational six-under par 66 to scorch into an impressive six-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the East of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at Co Louth.

Limerick's Pat Murray fired a three under par 69 to share the first round lead in the East of Ireland Amateur Championship at Baltray.

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

Walker Cup hopefuls Simon Ward and Jonathan Caldwell will lead the chase for the East of Ireland Amateur Open at Co Louth on Saturday.

A revitalised Rory McIlroy is licking his lips at the prospect of a head-to-head battle with Mark Campbell for the Mullingar Scratch Cup.

Holder Jim Carvill said goodbye to the South of Ireland title on a wet and windy afternoon at Lahinch.

Warrenpoint’s Jim Carvill got his title defence off to a winning start in the South of Ireland Championship at Lahinch today.

Ballyliffin’s Brendan McCarroll came from seven shots behind overnight to snatch the East of Ireland Championship in brilliant fashion at Baltray today.

Clandeboye's Jonathan Caldwell found his putting touch to lead at the halfway stage in the East of Ireland Championship at Baltray.

Teen idol Rory McIlroy cruised into the matchplay stages of the Radisson SAS West of Ireland Amateur Open championship at Rosses Point.

After a day's play in the Irish Amateur Close Championshp at Donegal Golf Club, the leaderboard is as follows:

Mark Campbell of Stackstown leads the East of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at Co Louth Golf Club.