Cutler and Dunbar lead Irish challenge at Sligo

INSPIRED by the exploits of Pádraig Harrington, Ireland won the Home International Championship when it was last staged at Rosses Point in 1991.

They are now hoping for a similar outcome when the event returns to the great Sligo links over the next three days.

The championship is especially significant as it represents the last opportunity for candidates on the British & Irish Walker Cup team to take on the US in the bi-annual contest at Royal Aberdeen next month to catch the eyes of the selectors. England are favourites for a hat-trick of wins in the series and are led by Steven Brown, recent winner of the English championship and who lost in a three hole play-off for the European Championship on Saturday.