McNamara is South's youngest winner

THERE were several occasions at Lahinch yesterday when Cian McNamara believed he was about to miss out on his burning ambition to capture the Shell South of Ireland Championship.

In the semi-final against Richard Kilpatrick, the 18-year-old Limerick schoolboy found himself three down at the turn. He won at the 20th. In the final, he was two behind Greg Bowden after 13. He came through at the 21st to emerge as the youngest winner of the title in 107 years.

McNamara has set his sights on taking up a golfing scholarship at East Tennessee State University but before then plays for his club in a Fred Daly match at Mitchelstown tomorrow, represents Ireland in the Boys' Home Internationals at Portmarnock next week and is virtually guaranteed a first senior cap at Prestwick in September.