Tramore’s Robin Dawson hopes to wield his putter like a “hoover” rather than a deadly weapon as he seeks some AIG Irish Close Championship revenge in the last 16 today.

Stuart Grehan fired in a flawless three-under-par opening round of 69 in tough conditions to lead the Irish assault on the European Amateur Championship in Estonia.

Tiarnan McLarnan and Eugene Smith, both 23, and Robin Dawson, 20, and Alex Gleeson, 21, have qualified to meet in this morning’s semi-finals of the AIG Irish Close Championship at Tramore.

As a player accomplished enough to win the prestigious Mullingar Scratch Trophy over the August Bank holiday weekend and having seen his brother Shane thrill the golfing world both as an amateur and professional, Alan Lowry is no stranger to outstanding deeds and shot making on the golf course.

Robert Pierse writes that he is opposed to same-sex marriage “as a father, solicitor and counsellor” (Letters, March 17).

Arthur Pierse has been coming to Lahinch for more than 40 years in search of the Clare Coast Hotels South of Ireland Championship.

When you are one of the championship favourites and things are going against you, there is always a good time to produce a shot out of the ordinary.

Four former directors of Pierse Contracting, once Ireland’s third-largest building contractor, are men of honesty and integrity who believed they were acting responsibly in allowing the firm to continue trading beyond 2009, the High Court has been told.

Holder Pat Murray (Limerick), Stuart Grehan (Tullamore) and Robbie Cannon (Balbriggan), the three players with most reason to feel aggrieved at the announcement of the Irish Home Internationals team before the South of Ireland began, all bit the dust on an eventful day at Lahinch yesterday.

Ireland were denied a fifth consecutive senior men’s Home International title at Southerndown on the south Wales coast yesterday by a much-improved England outfit.

Arthur Pierse faltered in the final round of the British Seniors Open Amateur Championship at Machynys Peninsula in West Wales but still finished as the top Irishman.

The referendum on the fiscal treaty has caused an increase in people moving their savings out of Ireland into perceived safer havens, according to a Cork financial adviser.

A grandnephew of Michael Collins has described the proposed sale of a lock of the Republican leader’s hair as macabre and undignified.

TIPPERARY’S Arthur Pierse came agonisingly close yesterday to claiming his second British Seniors Open title. The former Walker Cup player was pipped by a stroke at Royal Portrush as he attempted to add to his triumph of 2007.

THE story of Michael Collins is the theme of the Tralee Musical Society’s 25th anniversary production which opened last night and runs until this Sunday, in the Siamsa Tire Theatre.

AN order winding up Pierse Contracting and Pierse Building Services with the loss of 109 jobs was made at the High Court yesterday after the heavily insolvent companies withdrew their petition for examinership.

PIERSE Contracting has been given one week to convince the High Court to continue court protection to it after a judge expressed concerns about the company’s survival prospects and other issues, including a claim it traded for 18 months while insolvent.

THE appointment of an interim examiner to Pierse Construction is another reminder – if one were needed – of how long-standing reputation and profile offer little protection.

THE High Court has appointed an interim examiner to one of the state’s largest construction firms, Pierse Construction, after being informed that an independent accountant’s report revealed the firm has a reasonable prospect of survival.

THE connections of 50-1 shot Penny’s Bill, good luck to them, and the bookmakers had every reason to toast the Irish racing authorities last Sunday night.

Officials at Leopardstown do not anticipate any problems ahead of their high-profile meeting on Sunday.

LEADING Flat jockey Seamie Heffernan is looking forward to teaming up with Fen Game for Edward O’Grady in the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Tony Martin would like to see rain ahead of the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday for his two runners, Psycho and Robin du Bois.

IRELAND will be well fancied to retain their title when the third European Amateur Seniors Team Championship takes place at Shannon Golf Club this week.

A future star of the National Hunt game was born at Ballybrit yesterday when 17-year-old Paul Townend guided Indian Pace to a thrilling victory in the Guinness Galway Hurdle.

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.

Tom Hogan is likely to keep campaigning Silver Jaro in Ireland following his fine effort in the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle contender Sophocles may head to the Festival without the aid of another run.

JAMES Barrett expects a bold show from Barker when he unleashes the improving seven-year-old in the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

PROFITS at the Pierse Construction Group have collapsed, falling more than €9 million in the year to the end of April.

Tyrone’s, Kris Meeke and his Killarney co-driver, Paul Nagle in the Pirelli backed Subaru WRC dominated the opening leg of the Armagh based Philip White Tyres Ulster Rally, a counting round of both the Global Group Irish Tarmac Championship and the Tesco 99 Octane British Rally Championships.

SENIOR clergymen in Tralee moved yesterday to resolve a continuing row that could affect services for 17 Alzheimer’s disease patients in the area.

Lurgan's Gareth Shaw made two visits to the 20th before progressing to the last 16 of the South of Ireland Amateur Open at Lahinch.

Hurling great Davy Fitzgerald grabbed a shock win over Newlands’ Cian Curley in the South of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at Lahinch today.

ACAMBO must shoulder top weight as he bids to book his ticket for the Cheltenham Festival in tomorrow’s totesport Trophy.

EOIN GRIFFIN hopes ante-post favourite Kendor Dine can add his name to an illustrious roll of honour by winning tomorrow’s Pierse Hurdle – but believes his charge offers punters poor value.

ROBERT TYNER is optimistic that Spring The Que can jump into the reckoning for Sunday’s Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Arthur Moore is preparing to launch a two-pronged strike on Sunday’s Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown with Lenrey and Well Mounted.

Penzance is the horse the sponsors fear in the totesport Trophy at Newbury on Saturday.

GOVERNMENT plans to curb cost overruns on public projects will send many small and medium building companies out of business, the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) warned yesterday.