Golf: Darcy faces firm challenge from Walker

LEADING SCORES:

135 (-3) - L Walker (Dundalk) 66.

136 - E Darcy (Druid's Glen) 64.

137 - J Dwyer (Ashbourne) 69.

141 - G Burke (Curragh) 65, G Robinson (Wexford) 68, E Doyle (The Heath) 69,

C Barry (Donabate) 69, J Kelly (The Ward) 70, J Dignam (Slade Valley ) 70, P

Walton (Westpoint Fitness Centre) 72.

142 - L Owens (Royal Dublin) 69.

143 - P O'Hagan (Highfield) 69, JP Dolan (Charleville) 70, M O'Boyle (Cill

Dara) 72, W O'Callaghan (Fernhill) 72.

145 - K O'Donnell (Newlands) 71, R Burns (Newlands) 71, B McGovern

(Headfort) 71, A Schweppe (Malahide) 72, J Murray (Malahide) 72, N Howley

(Blackbush) 72, S O'Grady (Blackbush) 72.

146 - J Dooley (Faithlegg) 73.

147 - E Pettit (Killiney) 72, C Smith (Dundalk) 72, A Thomas (Old Conna) 73.

Leslie Walker staved off a firm challenge from defending champion Eamon

Darcy to take the Southrn Branch championship title.

The Dundalk Club pro posted a four-biridee 66 to win by one shot from Darcy who carded a course record of 64.

His 64 included seven birdies but he also had two bogeys which prevented him from retaining the title for a second year in a row.