High winds separate the wheat from chaff at Lahinch

There were plenty of feelgood stories by day's end, including that of Charleville's Jordan Boles, who birdied the 11th, eagled the 12th and birdied the 13th and 14th to beat Ballybunion's Senan Carroll 6&4 and set up a last-16 clash with Co Louth's Gerard Dunne.

COMPETITION HEATING UP: Colm Campbell seeking competition win. Pic: Golf Ireland

Just four Munster men were left standing as a southwest wind gusting over 35mph proved the difference maker on the opening day of matchplay combat in the 121st South of Ireland Championship at Lahinch.

Holes that required a short iron in practice were mid-irons yesterday and par-fives that required a drive and a mid-iron were reduced to a drive and a lob wedge as the flags outside the clubhouse were whipped stiff in an Atlantic breeze that brought a mixture of sunshine and vicious squalls to the pristine Co Clare links.