ON a way of tranquil weather with just one heavy shower to offer any inconvenience, there were notable players in the field who made an early departure from the scene and close calls for some more of the eminent in the field during the second round of the Bank of Ireland sponsored South of Ireland Championship at Lab inch yesterday.

Michael McGinley, who won his first major title when he captured the North of Ireland crown a fortnight ago, had to endure the downside of sporting fortune when he failed to surmount the initial challenge he faced and went down at the 18th to first round qualifier Dermot Gallagher, a senior cup player from the Limerick club.

It was also a notable occasion for Dublin garda Patrick McGilloway, who went to the semi-final of this championship in 1992 and claimed some notable victims en route. Yesterday he claimed another when he defeated international Bryan Omelia at the 20th.

Meanwhile, another Limerick senior cup player, Michael O'Kelly (23), defeated current international Pat Murray (Tipperary) by 2 and 1.

The defending champion, Jody Fanagan, Eddie Power, twice winner of the national title, and internationals John Morris and Richard Coughlan, runner-up in the close last year, all lived dangerously but survived their stern examinations.

Two who did not were former champions now in the veteran mould, Michael Burns from Tramore and Paraic O'Rourke from Kilkenny. Burns lost to 16-year-old Just in Kehoe from Birr, at the 20th, while Stuart Carter from Mountrath defeated O'Rourke.

Meanwhile, Garth McGimpsey, aiming to win this title for the first time and thus take the only championship to have eluded him in his great career, had no problem in reaching the third round as he registered the biggest win of the day, 7 and 6 over Willie Leggett from The Island.