Bryan Omelia will be the lone Irish raider in the English Amateur Open Strokeplay Championship - for the Brabazon Trophy - at Formby this weekend. The Irish international and Walker Cup panelist is one of 49 players exempt from prequalifying, which takes place tomorrow and Thursday.

Newlands player Omelia, who finished third behind Shandon Park's Michael Hoey in the Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin last weekend, is one of the main international challengers for the event which returns to the Liverpool links after an absence of 33 years.

Apart from Omelia, other invaders include South African Trevor Immelman (who lost to Craig Watson in the final of last year's British Amateur at Sandwich) and highly-rated French player Olivier David. Omelia will be attempting to end an 18-year spell since Ireland's last success in the championship when a teenage Ronan Rafferty tied for first place with Peter McEvoy, arguably the top amateur golfer of his generation.

Anyone in possession of a provincial pennant is asked to tread warily, if last weekend's fare in the Bulmers' Cups and Shields competitions are to be any guide for the long summer ahead.

Thurles, the Munster champions and winners of the Pierce Purcell Shield at the All-Ireland finals in Dundalk last year, were rocked by Ballykisteen - admittedly at the 19th hole in sudden-death - in their opening foray in the event at Cahir Park last weekend. At least Thurles could take some solace from Ballykisteen, their conquerors, going on to beat Tipperary in the section final.

As if that wasn't enough, two Leinster pennant holders were relinquishing their provincial crowns: Tullamore lost out in the Jimmy Bruen Shield qualifying at Moate, while Skerries were beaten in their Pierce Purcell Shield qualifying at Corrstown. Tullamore were beaten 4-1 in the semi-final by host club Moate who went on to defeat Knockanally by a similar margin in the final. Skerries lost out to The Island in their second round match and also had the consolation of their conquerors going on to take the section. This weekend, the focus in Leinster is on the Jimmy Bruen with metropolitan qualifying taking place at Hollywood Lakes tomorrow; and Balcarrick, Killeen and Charlesland on Friday. Then, on Saturday and Sunday, provincial qualifying is scheduled to be staged at Ardee, the Heath, Arklow and Wexford.