Strong overseas entry for Irish Youths Championship

The Irish Youths Amateur Open Championship is destined to have a new name on its list of winners this year, as 75 young golfers head to Portumna Golf Club from June 23-24 for the 37th staging of the event.

A total of 25 overseas players have made the cut which fell at a record low of 1.7.

Countries represented in the Championship are Austria, Germany, England, Wales, Scotland and Qatar plus 50 home-based players.

Leading the Irish challenge is a quartet of Munster golfers, Keith Crowley (Lee Valley), Kenny McGarry (Bandon), Cian McNamara (Limerick) and Aaron O’Callaghan (Douglas).

Rory McIlroy (Holywood) has elected not to defend his title.

Started in 1969, the Irish Youths boasts an impressive list of past winners, including Mark Gannon (1971 & 1972), John McHenry (1980, ’81 & ’85), Paul McGinley (1988), Graeme McDowell (1999 & 2000) and Rory McIlroy (2004).