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.

Sometimes it takes a step back in order to move forward and that has certainly been the case for Michael McDermott.

HEADFORD’S Greg Mungovan was the surprise leader after the qualifying rounds of the Clare Coast hotels-sponsored South of Ireland Championship at Lahinch last night.

PAT QUINLAN has suffered many disappointments in his 14 years representing Portumna in various inter-club competitions, so it was all the sweeter for the man from Ballinderry in North Tipperary that he should clinch their first Bulmers Irish Junior Cup triumph at Castlebar yesterday.

BANDON’S dreams of a famous double have been shattered by yesterday’s narrow loss to Dunmurry in the semi-final of the Bulmers Barton Shield at Castlebar. So now, they switch their attentions to the Irish Senior Cup, in which they meet Co Sligo in tomorrow’s semi-finals.