Olivia Mehaffey (Royal Co Down Ladies) confirmed her status as one of the finest amateur lady golfers in the world at gloriously sunny Lahinch yesterday when she withstood an outstanding challenge from fellow Ulster golfer Louise Coffey (Malone) to carry off the Irish Ladies Close Championship.

Sexton still shining in Lahinch.

Ireland staged a remarkable fightback over the closing holes at Radyr in South Wales yesterday to grab a share of the spoils with defending champions England on the opening day of the Girls Home International series.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom for Holywood tyros yesterday.