Sligo and Clandeboye in Barton Shield final

County Sligo remain on target for the first part of a potential title double at the AIG All-Ireland Cups & Shields National Finals after booking a place in today’s Barton Shield decider at Royal Tara Golf Club.

The men from Rosses Point, who tomorrow will begin their quest for the blue riband Senior Cup, beat Leinster champions Rosslare in yesterday’s semi-final of the foursomes competition, winning by an aggregate of three holes from the two pairings contested.

Co. Sligo will today face Ulster champions Clandeboye, who scored a seven-hole victory over Cork Golf Club at the parkland Meath course. It is the Connachtmen, however, who will go into the final as favourites for the Barton Shield as they seek to repeat their national double victories of 1996 and 1997, respectively, and become the first club since Shandon Park in 2000 to achieve the feat.