First blood as Europe triumph in fashion stakes

IRELAND and the Irish struck a blow for Europe at the opening ceremony for the Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle yesterday evening – thanks to designer Paul Costelloe and captain Alison Nicholas.

Costelloe sent the home team out as winners in the fashion stakes when their blue striped blazers left the cream-coated Americans in the Co Meath shade.

Nicholas then added her own little touch of Irish magic when she welcomed President Mary McAleese and the spectators to the 2011 Solheim Cup with a ‘Cead Mile Failte A Chairde’ welcome as gaeilge.