WINNING All-Ireland titles comes easily to some parts of the country, and Kilkenny were at it once again in glorious conditions at Tullamore yesterday.

THE finals of the Bulmers Irish Cups and Shields got off to a successful start in ideal conditions at Tullamore yesterday when Banbridge and Kilkenny produced golf of the highest calibre to qualify for today’s final of the Bulmers Barton Shield.

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.

Walker Cup skipper Colin Dalgleish has hailed Holywood star Rory McIlroy as a similar talent to Spanish wonderkid Sergio Garcia.

DAVY FITZGERALD’S Sixmilebridge have told Clare GAA chiefs to resolve the impasse between Fitzgerald and senior hurling team manager Tony Considine “within a week”.

TODAY, 30,000 children will die needlessly. It is our country’s great shame that we have reneged on our overseas aid promise to the world’s poorest people.

The Irish Youths team beat Scotland in the Youth International at Portumna Golf Club in Co Galway today.

Michael Ellard and Brendan Larkin

1999 All-Ireland winning captain Graham Geraghty made his first start for 18 months, but ended up on the losing side in today’s O’Byrne Cup quarter final as Kildare saw off Meath 2-11 to 1-11 in Newbridge.

GARY WOLSTENHOLME, the only Britain and Ireland amateur to feature on four winning Walker Cup teams, has been named in a provisional 29-strong squad for next August’s defence of the trophy in Chicago.

R&A selection chairman Peter McEvoy has named an initial squad of 29 players for next August's 40th Walker Cup, to be held at the Chicago Golf Club, Illinois.