After a series of outstanding matches throughout the provinces, the way has now been largely paved for the national finals of the AIG Irish Cups and Shields at the O’Meara Course, Carton House, Kildare next month, (September 20-23).

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.

Gardaí are digging up the back garden of a house in Dalkey in Co Dublin in connection with the possible death of a baby in the area thirty years ago.