GOLF/ National Cups and Shields Finals: The growth of golf in Ireland has led to inevitable shifts in power, which is adequately demonstrated by the four clubs who tee-up in search of the Barton Shield at Lisburn Golf Club today.
Of the quartet, only Cork has previously savoured success in this unique team competition - yet, even with a wealth of experience in their side, they will start as underdogs against a Stackstown team that is very much tilted towards youth.
Cork's last win - the club's fifth - in the Barton Shield came 13 years ago, and two survivors of that team - Pat Lyons and Tom Cleary - are on duty in this morning's semi-final, but in different pairings in a competition where the aggregate matchplay scores of the two matches count. The Barton Shield starts and finishes the day's programme in the Bulmers-sponsored Irish Cups and Shields finals, which today also features the penultimate stages of the Irish Junior Cup and the Pierce Purcell Shield.
In the Barton Shield, Stackstown, the favourites, include two internationals Mark Campbell and Michael McDermott in their line-up, while the other semi-final brings together two clubs - Banbridge, led by youths' international Connor Doran, and Connemara, who have former Irish youths' champion Derek McNamara on the team - who have never won this title previously.
The odds are also stacked in favour of a new name being engraved on the Irish Junior Cup. Of the four semi-finalists, only Munster champions Clonmel - winners in 1978 - have tasted victory before in the competition. In today's semi-final, Clonmel are paired against Castlerock, while Skerries encounter Loughrea in the other match.
Of all the teams in action in the Pierce Purcell Shield, Warrenpoint probably have an edge. Indeed, they are past masters in this particular event having won it four times previously, most recently in 1987. Still, they have a tough battle on their hands in the semi-final against Gort, who were beaten national finalists two years ago. The other semi-final features Thurles - winners in 1999 - against Royal Tara.
