Thurles Golf Club celebrated a third Pierce Purcell Shield All Ireland title and a second in three years as team captain Jimmy Ryan praised his players’ battling qualities and work ethic.

Ballybunion moved a step closer to regaining the AIG Junior Cup for the first time since 2013 but it needed a 20th hole victory in the defining singles match at Carton House to edge their semi-final against Loughrea.

THE MANY golfers who will surely be praying for divine intervention as the 109th US Open unfolds over the next two days might well take encouragement from how Bethpage got its name.

A Christmas Day letter penned by the author of A Christmas Carol is up for sale at a US auction house.