Early bird Owens gets defence off to good start

HOLDER Mervyn Owens (Mallow) was first off the tee at Lahinch yesterday morning when he successfully began the defence of his title against Eddie Power (Kilkenny) in a 7am start to the South of Ireland Irish Shell-sponsored championship.

The Mallow man ended the match when he went three up after his opponent was bunkered at the short 16th.

The surprise in the early afternoon was when Pat Dempsey (Headford) beat Walker Cup player Noel Fox (Portmarnock) by 2/1.