John Kelly made a quick start to the new year when winning the Boyne Links Alliance outing at Laytown and Bettystown last week. Kelly from the Ward Driving Range shot a three under-par 69 to win by four from Finian Dwyer (Celbridge) with Paddy McGuirk (Co Louth) and John Dwyer (Ashbourne) next on 74. A shot further back were Nigel Howley, Jimmy Heggarty and Leslie Walker. Paddy Maguire, who recently took up the appointment of secretary/ manager at Hermitage Golf Club, won the nett from Cid Harmon. Maguire from the Slade Valley club shot 38 points off a 13 handicap to beat Harmon by one point with Gary Donnelly, also from Slade Valley, next on 36.

The amateur gross went to Mark Staunton from Ballinasloe with 32 points while Maguire also figured on the winning team with Neil Manchip and Gary Donnelly.