All-Ireland cups and shields: Johnny Foster will become a teaching professional at Malone Golf Club today but before the former Irish international signed off from his amateur playing days the 28-year-old led Ballyclare to their first All-Ireland Senior Cup title in the Bulmers-sponsored Cups and Shields finals at Shannon over the weekend.

The Senior Cup is the most prestigious interclub team competition for the best amateurs in Ireland and the Antrim club realised their dream at the first time of asking by defeating Munster champions Tramore 3½-1½ in Saturday's final.

"Knowing this would be my last competitive match as an amateur I was trying to put those thoughts to the back of my mind when playing my match," explained Foster, who won 3 and 1 against Tramore's veteran Irish selector Michael Burns in the top match. "Our match was very close but when it came to the crunch down the last few holes I played some great shots under pressure and made a couple of important up-and-downs, especially at the 15th and 16th. It's just great to have been able to give something back after all the support the club has given me over the years.

"We all wish Johnny all the best for the future as he embarks on a professional career," said Philip Armstrong, Ballyclare's team captain. "It was the perfect way to end his amateur playing career."

Simon McConnell, who played with Foster in the foursomes when they lost the Barton Shield final to Sutton, had a convincing 4 and 3 win over John Mitchell, thanks to a fast start.

"I got off to the best possible start by making four birdies in the first six holes and that got me to three up," said the 22-year-old. "From there I kept a steady course before closing out the match with an eight-footer across the break for par at the 15th."

But it was perhaps Colin Steele's decisive 2 and 1 win in the final game against Peter Power which was most impressive. Steele came into the side when another Ballyclare international, Gareth Maybin, wasn't able to play because he had to fly back to the US with college commitments.

"I'm elated not only for myself but the whole team," enthused Steele. "To win an All-Ireland is very special, especially as it's the first time Ballyclare have reached the finals, never mind win a title, in the club's 81-year history.

Burns's son Derek recorded Tramore's only win by a 2 and 1 margin over Steven Rea, while rising star Clancy Bowe halved with Robert Forsythe after the pair were called in while playing the first extra hole in their match.

Leinster champions Dundalk also claimed their first All-Ireland pennant when they beat 2000 winners Kilkeel 3½-1½ in the Jimmy Bruen Shield final. This, like all the contests over the weekend, was played in a great spirit. It was a final that could have gone either way as three of the five ties were decided at the 18th. And the first match of Ken Norton/Michael Coburn (Dundalk) against Rory Sloane/Kieran Poland was a call-in from the fourth extra hole when the overall match was over.

"We looked dead and buried at one stage," explained Terry Sloane, secretary manager at Dundalk. "But we came strong in the end and managed to edge it. It is the club's first All-Ireland success and it couldn't have come at more opportune time as we prepare to celebrate our centenary year in 2005."

The pairings of Seán Reidy/Michael Coburn, Alan McCabe/Michael Gill and Damien English alongside Ruairí Gogarty all came through tight matches to prevail for Dundalk on the 18th. In the end the 6 and 5 win of Paul Higgins and Mark Trainor was Kilkeel's only high point.

The five cup and shields finals played at Shannon produced four first-time winners. Added to the successes of Ballyclare and Dundalk, Lucan GC got their name on the Junior Cup for the first time, while Ballinrobe were ecstatic with the club's first All-Ireland triumph in the Pierce Purcell Shield.

Sutton were the only repeat winners after securing the Barton Shield for the fourth time. That was a particularly fitting tribute as it bridged the gap to the days when the late Joe Carr was in his heyday and part of three winning Sutton sides in 1946, 1949 and 1950.

"It was definitely a rookies' weekend in Shannon," said Sloane. That is was.