McNamara in line to be youngest South winner

CIAN McNamara, an 18-year-old Limerick schoolboy, has played himself into position to become the youngest winner of the Shell South of Ireland since Fred Ballingall in 1897, by reaching the semi-finals in impressive fashion at Lahinch yesterday.

He now faces 22-year-old Richard Kilpatrick, a Toledo University student and a member of Ireland's successful Home International Championship-winning side last year.

The second semi-final involves Greg Bowden, another 22-year-old from Hermitage, and the 1998 champion Johnny Foster.