Having run charming, salon-style poetry readings in Dublin, the creators of the Quantum Sofa have launched their first publication — a trio of pamphlets by Irish poets.

Only one member of the Irish team for next month’s Home International Championship turned up for the South of Ireland at Lahinch over the weekend.

Six members of the triumphant Munster team in this week’s Interprovincial Championship at Royal Co Down are included in the field for the South of Ireland Championship starting at Lahinch this morning. And yet, they will all have to take a back seat behind the remarkable Ennis man, Noel Pyne, who is competing for the 50th successive year.

Noel Pyne reaches a remarkable milestone when he makes his 50th successive appearance in the South of Ireland Championship at Lahinch next Saturday.

Defending South of Ireland Championship champion Niall Kearney suffered a shock defeat in the third round of the 2009 event today at Lahinch.

FOUR members of the Irish side that retained the European Team Championship in Turin this month contest the South of Ireland, which begins at Lahinch this morning.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy has set his sights on Tiger Woods' course record in the Irish Close at the European Club.

THE coast just west of Cork harbour's mouth has come alive in the last few years, with year-round lights dotting the coastline as clear and shining evidence of the area's surge in popularity.

GALWAY’S golfers are all set to atone for the defeat of their hurlers by Cork in Sunday’s All-Ireland final following a fruitful opening day in the Bulmers inter-club festival at Rosslare.

GALWAY GOLF CLUB go in search of a rare treble at Rosslare this week when they contest the finals of the Bulmers Irish Senior and Junior Cups and Barton Shield.

TWO great old warriors waged a titanic struggle in yesterday's Munster final of the Bulmers Irish Senior Cup at Muskerry before Dermot Morris carried the day for Limerick Golf Club by getting home at the third extra hole against Tom Cleary of Cork Golf Club.

YOUTH invariably has its fling in the major championships these days but yesterday’s second round of the South of Ireland was an opportunity for those beyond their best playing days to show their worth.

Irish Amateur Close Championship at Westport Golf Club

Teen sensation Cian McNamara produced two stunning extra time comebacks to win the Shell Ireland sponsored South of Ireland title at Lahinch.

NOEL PYNE first played in the Shell South of Ireland Championship when still a leaving certificate student at St Flannan’s College, Ennis.