Joy for Ireland, now for the Grand Slam

IRELAND’S amateur golfers were celebrating last night — and with plenty of justification- after sweeping to their first four-cornered home international title for five years.

And their success at Muirfield comes just two months after they retained their European Team title in Turin and follows the Irish boys achievement in winning their international crown at Royal County Down last month.

Ireland made certain of continuing the season of triumph by overwhelming England in the last battle of the round-robin tournament

That completed the Triple Crown as both Scotland and Wales had been accounted for on the previous two days.

Now they can go for the Grand Slam in the World amateur team championships for the Eisenhower Trophy in Adelaide in October when 72 countries will be competing.

It was fitting that the three players chosen for the world championships were the most successful in the internationals, Paul Cutler and Jonathan Caldwell going through the series unbeaten and Shane Lowry collecting four points out of a possible six.

The World Championships will be the swansong for Michael Burns as captain — he has been an inspirational skipper, one of the most successful in the country’s history.

“The team has been fantastic all year and this week’s achievement is tremendous. Everyone made a great contribution,” said Burns.

Scotland hammered Wales 9½-5½ to take second spot with England third and the Welsh picking up their customary wooden spoon.