Irish boys set to retain team title

The challenge is a huge one, but at least the Irish team that begins the defence of the European Amateur Boys Team Championship at Uppsala in Sweden today contains two players who know what it takes to win.

Last year, when Ireland claimed the title for the first time in the wind and rain at Gullane in Scotland, Sean McTernan (Co Sligo) and Mervyn Owens (Mallow) were part of the teenage brigade that emerged triumphant. The pair are the only survivors from that team and, this time, are joined by James McCracken (Malone), Paul McDonald (Old Conna), Derek McNamara (Connemara) and Mark O'Sullivan (Galway). As last year, Seamus Green of Grange will captain the team.

The task is an enormous one for the Irish who face into the first of two strokeplay qualifying rounds today. Amongst the other main contenders are Sweden, Italy, who confirmed their place as a major breeding ground for young players when becoming the first host country in 40 years to win the European men's championship, and England who recently retained the Boys World Team Championships in Japan.

The English team contains 16-year-old David Porter who is considered an extremely good prospect, while Scotland are led by Barry Hume who last year captured the European Young Masters in Italy.

Nevertheless, the Irish team has been well prepared for the defence of their crown and captain Greene is confident they will put up a good performance. The matchplay stages are due to commence on Thursday.

The GUI has selected 16-year-old Kenny Fahey of Connemara and 15-year-old Robert McCarthy of Forrest Little to represent the country in the European Young Masters tournament in Italy at the end of this month. The pair were selected after an intensive series of trials at Hermitage Golf Club.

Meanwhile, the first of this year's provincial finals in the Bulmers Irish Cups and Shields takes place this weekend when St Anne's Golf Club play host to the Leinster finals of the Pierce Purcell Shield. St Anne's won the national final in 1994 and successfully defended in 1995, while the Leinster finals of the Irish Junior Cup will be staged this weekend at Laytown and Bettystown.

Interestingly, the entry levels for the Irish Cups and Shields has increased this year with a total of 1,325 teams compared to 1,276 teams last year. Indeed, the entries are up in every province: Leinster - 1999 (499), 1998 (478); Ulster - 1999 (390), 1998 (383); Munster - 1999 (303), 1998 (290); Connacht - 1999 (133), 1998 (125).

The figures represent an increase of four per cent on last year and a six per cent increase on the 1997 levels and confirms the popularity of the country's main interclub competitions. In all, some 19,000 golfers have been involved in competition. This year's finals are at Portstewart in September.

Theresa Thompson is to succeed Pat Turvey as the new Secretary of the Irish Ladies Golf Union. Thompson, a member of the famous Bradhsaw golfing clan, will take over the executive position in the ILGU next month. For the past five years, the seven-handicapper has been an administrator with the Leinster Branch of the Golfing Union of Ireland.