Irish ladies chase three-in-a-row in Home Internationals

THIS is a huge week for golf in Ireland and Britain with at least four major tournaments down for decision.

While 16 fortunate professionals battle for the megabucks on offer in the HSBC World Match Play Championship at Wentworth, here in Ireland the Ladies Home Internationals are being contested at Dundalk Golf Club; the Bulmers Irish Cups and Shields finals are down for decision at Rosslare and the last-minute inclusion of Pádraig Harrington in the field has given an unexpected boost to the Cuisine de France/Simple Properties sponsored Irish PGA Championship at the new Christy O'Connor Junior designed PGA National course at Palmerstown House near Naas.

The Irish ladies are attempting to rewrite history this week by winning the Home Internationals at Dundalk for the third consecutive year, even though they have not prevailed on home soil since 1907.

However, the Irish are confident of lifting the trophy for a third time, following wins at Cruden Bay in 2003 and Royal Porthcawl in 2004. The event gets underway at Dundalk tomorrow.

"We were very happy with our practice over this excellent parkland course last week," commented team captain Sheena O'Brien Kenney.

"Our opposition will be stronger than ever this year but we're excited to have the opportunity to challenge for three-in-a-row. A good team morale added to the expected healthy home support will hopefully help to tip the balance in our favour."

Ireland's three Vagliano Trophy stars, Lancôme Irish champion Tricia Mangan, British matchplay runner-up Claire Coughlan and Helen Holm winner Martina Gillen, add depth to an already impressive squad, which also includes Irish Open Strokeplay Champion Tara Delaney, St Rule runner-up Heather Nolan and 2004 Lancôme Irish Champion Deirdre Smith.

The only changes to last year's line up are US-based Tara Delaney and recalled Maria Dunne in place of Sinead O'Sullivan and Helen Jones.

England look likeliest to upset Ireland's plans. They hope to avenge last year's first-day defeat to the Irish which ultimately saw them finish the tournament tied second with Wales.

Ireland play Scotland tomorrow, Wales on Thursday and England on Friday.

ENGLAND: Emma Duggleby (Malton & Norton), Laura Eastwood (Yelverton), Naomi Edwards (Ganton), Jodie Ewart (Catterick), Felicity Johnson (Harborne), Kiran Matharu (Cookridge Hall), Kerry Smith (Waterlooville), Sophie Walker (Kenwick Park).

IRELAND: Claire Coughlan (Cork), Tara Delaney (Carlow), Maria Dunne (Skerries), Martina Gillen (Beaverstown), Tricia Mangan (Ennis), Maura Morrin (The Curragh), Heather Nolan (Shannon), Deirdre Smith (Co. Louth).

SCOTLAND: Krystle Caithness (St. Regulus), Anne Laing (Vale of Leven), Fiona Lockhart (St. Regulus), Clare Queen (Drumpellier), Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle), Sally Watson (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies), Gemma Webster (Hilton Park), Jenna Wilson (Strathaven).

WALES: Kimberley Boulden (Maesdu), Tara Davies (Holyhead), Stephanie Evans (Vale of Llangollen), Lucy Gould (Bargoed), Lydia Hall (Royal Porthcawl), Sahra Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan), Sarah Jones (Pennard), Breanne Loucks (Wrexham).

LIMERICK'S hopes of capturing the Bulmers Irish Senior Cup for the second time in four years have been dealt a severe blow by the absence of last year's South of Ireland champion Cian McNamara.

The youngster has been unable to gain a release from his American college East Tennessee State University. The chances are he will be replaced in the starting line-up by his godfather Ger Vaughan. North-West, who include British amateur champion Brian McElhinney and fellow international Michael McGeady in their squad, are the hot favourites for the blue riband of the club game in this country.

Tomorrow: Barton Shield Semi-Finals, 10.30am, Ballybunion v Galway; 10.50am, Sutton v Warrenpoint.

Junior Cup Semi-Finals, 11.10am, Galway v Clonmel; noon, Fortwilliam v Castle.

Thursday: Pierce Purcell Shield Semi-Finals, 8am, Black Bush v Castleblayney; 8.50am, Castletroy v Portumna.

Barton Shield Final, 11am to 11.10am.

Junior Cup Final, 11.30am to 12.10pm

Friday: Senior Cup Semi-Finals, 9.30am, North West v Galway; 10.20am, Limerick v Hermitage.

Pierce Purcell Shield Final, 11.30am to 12.10pm; Jimmy Bruen Shield Semi-Finals, 1pm, The Island v Mannan Castle; 1. 50pm, Carrick-on-Shannon v Ballybunion

Saturday: Senior Cup Final, 9.30am; Jimmy Bruen Shield Final, 10.30.

HIS failure to make the cut in last week's German Masters prompted Pádraig Harrington to rethink his schedule and he now plays in this week's IPGA Championship at the superb PGA National course at Palmerstown House.

Harrington defends a title he won at St Margaret's last year and also captured at Powerscourt in 1998. The other European Tour pros in the field are Peter Lawrie, Gary Murphy, Damien McGrane and Philip Walton. Other interesting entries are Christy O'Connor Jnr, David Higgins, John McHenry and Raymond Burns.

Harrington has dropped back to 12th in the world rankings. Darren Clarke is 17th; Paul McGinley, 36th and Graeme McDowell, 48th.