Irish stars battle for glory of the South

FOUR members of the Irish side that retained the European Team Championship in Turin this month contest the South of Ireland, which begins at Lahinch this morning.

Shane Lowry (Esker Hills), winner of the West and North this year; Irish Close champion Paul O’Hanlon (Curragh) and Paul Cutler (Portstewart) and Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin) are the quartet bidding for glory at the Clare venue.

Despite their recent form, they will be well aware that reputations mean nothing when it comes to the ‘South’. The championship is infamous for the shock results it throws up on an annual basis, and defending champion Darren Crowe (a finalist in each of the last three years) is one of many aware of that fact.