Chaudouey flying the French flag with aplomb as he makes it through to last 16

THERE was a time when the South of Ireland was known as one of Ireland's premier sporting exports.

Names like Ballingall, Castle, Lord Glenawly, Girdlestone and others were engraved with monotonous regularity on the beautiful old trophy. That was around the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries before legendary figures like John Burke, Mick O'Loughlin, Joe Carr and the rest came along to put matters right. Indeed, you must go back to Geoff Roberts in 1959 for the last non-Irish champion at Lahinch.

However, that situation could be about to change with the presence of the reigning French champion Eric Chaudouey in the last 16 of the 101st Championship. Chadouey boasts a handicap of plus 3.2, and is the last of an elite squad of eight sent here this week by the French Federation to extend their knowledge of links golf.

Seven of his compatriots all of whom also boasted plus handicaps have gone by the boards, but the sole survivor has looked immensely impressive so far. Cork's Padraig Dooley, who played the 15 holes in a splendid level par and yet lost 4 and 3 to Chaudouey, has no doubts about his conqueror's ability.

"Eric never looked like making a mistake," he said. "He is seriously long off the tee and his all-round game is also first-class. I have no doubt he can go all the way."

He had two birdies, at the 2nd and 8th., and eagled the 13th after driving the green. The irony is that my pitch for a two lipped out and then he holed from fifteen feet. Not much you can do about that kind of thing. Otherwise, he was strict par all the way".

So, the Frenchman was four under for the 15 holes and that's great golf over a course that has been so effectively remodelled by English architect Martin Hawtree that now, by common consent, playing four strokes harder than before.

Chaudouey now comes up against Eddie Power, a three times Irish champion but a man who has never been beyond the last 16 of the South, a championship which he has contested for each of the last 20 years.

So, the Frenchman was four under for the 15 holes and that's great golf over a course that has been so effectively remodelled by English architect Martin Hawtree that now, by common consent, playing four strokes harder than before.

Chaudouey now comes up against Eddie Power, a three times Irish champion but a man who has never been beyond the last 16 of the South, a championship which he has contested for each of the last 20 years. Power is full of praise for the alterations to the Lahinch course and believes quietly that they give him a better than usual chance on this occasion. His game has come along nicely and he was particularly impressive over the back nine against Cathal Conaty. Power finished the match off in the most emphatic manner with a birdie three at the 17th.

While Chadouey has looked the class act so far, there is little doubt that the star of the show has been 56-year-old Barry Reddan from Baltray. The winner here 15 years ago, he wouldn't be in Lahinch at all had he not missed the cut in the British Seniors at Royal Co Down last week. Undaunted, he dashed home to Baltray on Friday night, picked up a bag and drove through the night to reach Lahinch in time to go into battle on Saturday morning.

Four rounds later, he is still there to the good, the conqueror yesterday afternoon of Irish Close champion and fellow Louthman John McGinn. Even his brother-in-law Des Smyth will have to stand up and take note after this extraordinary performance. Holder Justin Kehoe has looked the same quality player who emerged such an impressive champion 12 months ago and had to be at his best to see off Mark Collins, the Munster inter-pro from Cork. Also re recent former champions Mark Campbell and Johnny Foster.