With the disappointing late withdrawal of the Slieve Russell twins Leona and Lisa Maguire, the focus of attention turned to the other Irish competitors in the smaller-than-usual field in the British Ladies Open stroke-play championship at Shandon Park, Belfast yesterday.

Adrian Morrow flew home from Austria yesterday on cloud nine after conquering a top class field to clinch the European Seniors Amateur Championship.

Rory McIlroy will have Michael Bannon as his full time coach after the Bangor professional announced he would leave his club job to hit the road with the reigning US Open champion.

England’s Emily Taylor won the Irish Women’s Open Amateur Strokeplay by three strokes from Ireland’s Mary Dowling (New Ross) and Gillian O’Leary (Cork) at The Island Golf Club yesterday.

Ulster remain on track to claim their third successive Women’s Interprovincial title at Cork Golf Club following their hard-earned 6-3 victory over Munster on day two of the action yesterday.

It is all to play for after day one of the Women’s Interprovincials at Cork GC yesterday.

Ulster’s ambition to win a third consecutive Women’s Interprovincial golf title this week at Cork Golf Club has been dealt a blow with the withdrawal of two of their more experienced players.

Leona Maguire stepped up the defence of her Portugese Ladies Open Amateur title in difficult conditions in Lisbon yesterday.

LISA MAGUIRE continued her domination of the European Women’s Individual Championship in the Netherlands yesterday.

THE brilliant Maguire twins spearhead a powerful-looking Irish challenge for the European Ladies Amateur individual title over the Noordwijse course in the Netherlands, starting today.

PAUL DUNNE and Alan Dunbar held their nerve in Barcelona yesterday to qualify for the knock-out stages of the Spanish Men’s Open Amateur Championship with a stroke to spare.

LEONA MAGUIRE has dedicated her Portuguese Ladies Amateur Championship win to her grandfather, Aidan McGovern, who passed away suddenly last month.

IRELAND’S future is unquestionably in food production. At long last we are recognising the fact that Ireland is in an enviable position in terms of natural resources – we are an island nation on the edge of Europe with 400 million affluent consumers on our doorstep.

IRELAND made a flying start to their bid for a first Women’s Home International title for six years when they demolished England in the sunshine over the Whitchurch course in Cardiff yesterday.

PETER LAWRIE secured his first top 10 finish of the new season, as he finished ninth behind Sweden’s Robert Karlsson who captured his first victory in 14 months with success in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

THE Maguire twins, Lisa and Leona, remain on course to meet in today’s final of the Lancome Irish Women’s Close Championship in Westport.

Irish Champion Karen Delaney (Carlow) leads an experienced Irish team in their challenge on the 2007 European Team Championships at Castleconturbia, Italy.

The ILGU has selected three International teams to represent Ireland at various upcoming International events in June and July.

LEINSTER battled to a 6½-2½ victory on day two of the 2006 Ladies Interprovincials against Ulster at Headfort Golf Club yesterday, while Connacht and Munster got a half point each, tying at 4½-4½.

Leinster look to defend their Ladies Interprovincial title when the three-day tournament starts at Headfort Golf Club, Kells, Co Meath, on August 2-4.

Defending champion and Irish international Maria Dunne (Skerries) has safely made it through to the semi-finals of the Clarins Leinster Ladies Golf Championships at Grange Golf Club.

THE scene is set for a battle between Leinster and Munster on Day 3 of the Ladies Interprovincials at the Royal Belfast golf course.

INSPIRED by Claire Coughlan, who defeated Curtis Cup reserve Martina Gillen in the top singles match, Munster cast aside the Leinster bogey on the opening day of the AIB Bank Ladies Senior Golf Interpros at Mount Wolseley, Carlow yesterday.