The highly-talented Donegal golfer, Brian McElhinney (North West), who in August won the European Individual Amateur Championship at Nairn Golf Club, Scotland, and was a member of last week's successful Ireland team in the Home Internationals at Ballybunion will lead a strong Ulster team in the Youths Interprovincials at Lahinch from tomorrow to Friday.

McElhinney, who has won the Joe Carr Perpetual Award, having topped the Youths Order of Merit table this year, was selected on Ireland's six-man team in the European Team Championship at the Royal Hague Golf Club in July and later that month captured the Magners-sponsored North of Ireland title at Royal Portrush.

Victory in the Connacht Youths and the runner-up to David Ryan in the Leinster Youths were other high points of a very successful year for McElhinney.

However, Connacht will go confidently into the championship on the back of three Boys Interprovincial successes in the last five years, with many of this year's youths team having played significant roles in those wins.

The western province is backboned by four Ballinasloe members, led by Ulster Youths champion Mark Staunton while Derek McNamara from Connemara has experienced play at the highest level.

Holders Leinster will have their sights set on retaining the title they won in Athenry last year and with double champion Mark Ryan from the Grange and senior player Robert McCarthy leading the way they will take some beating.

Walker Cup panellist Clancy Bowe leads the Munster team in their quest for a first title since 1984 when they were successful in Thurles but with players of the calibre of Cian McNamara, last year's British Junior Open Champion, and Aaron O'Callaghan, it makes for a very interesting three days at Lahinch before the title is decided on Friday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Pam Williamson from Baberton in Scotland retained the Irish Senior Women's Open Championship - sponsored by Penneys - at Seapoint Golf Club, Co Louth, last week.

The twice-Scottish senior women's title-winner, Williamson had rounds of 77 and 76 for an aggregate of 153 to win the by a shot from Ireland's Valerie Hassett (Ennis) who had scores of 79 and 75.

Canadian Diane Williams, a regular visitor to these shores, finished third on 159.

Rhona Fanagan and Mary Madden were next best of the Irish on 159 while Mary McKenna, who pipped Williamson for the Irish title a couple of years ago, finished joint eighth with Elizabeth Simpson from Murrayfield.

And McKenna's reward for her top-10 finish was a place on the Irish Seniors team for the Seniors Home Internationals to be played at Whittington Heath Golf Club from October 1st to 3rd.

McKenna will be joined on the Irish team by Roma English (Larne), Rhona Fanagan (Milltown), Valerie Hassett (Ennis), Mary Madden (Ballinasloe) and Anna Maloney (Clonmel). Woodbrook's Pauline Martin will captain the team.

Vivien Saunders from Cambridge, a professional golfer for over 30 years and reinstated as an amateur just in time to play in the inaugural English senior women's championship at Ilkley Golf Club, Yorkshire, lost on the last green in the final on Saturday.

Saunders, 56-year-old founder of the Women's PGA in Europe in 1978 and winner of the British Women's Open in 1977, went under by one hole to local player, Adele Mitchell (Keighley) in the 18-hole final.

Saunders was the 15th qualifier for the matchplay stages; Adele the 13th.

Earlier this year, Saunders was a vociferous critic of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club's refusal to admit women members.

CONNACHT: Mark Staunton (Ballinalsoe), Michael McHugh (Ballinasloe), James Barton (Ballinalsoe), Dara Kealy (Ballinasloe), Shane Franklin (Athenry), Derek McNamara (Connemara), Keith O'Neill (Strandhill). Team Captain - Paschal McDonagh (Oughterard). Team Manager - Patsy Lynch (Loughrea)

ULSTER: Stephen Crowe (Dunmurry), Harry Diamond (Holywood), Rory McIlroy (Holywood), Conor Doran (Banbridge), Ciarán McAleavey (Banbridge), Brian McElhinney (North West), Gareth Shaw (Malone). Team Captain - Aidan Doran (Banbridge). Team Manager - Mark Crowe (Dunmurry)

LEINSTER: Greg Bowden (Hermitage), Greg Massey (Hermitage), Robert McCarthy (The Island), Brian O'Connor Hermitage), Paul O'Hanlon (The Curragh), David Ryan (Grange), Raymond Williams (Baltinglass). Team Captain - Joe McNamara

MUNSTER: Clancy Bowe (Tramore), Keith Crowley (Lee Valley), David Daly (Muskerry), Cian McNamara (Limerick), Aaron O'Callaghan (Douglas), Seamus Power (West Waterford), Niall Turner (Muskerry). Team Captain: Pat Murphy (West Waterford).