SOME of Ireland's hottest young talent will seek to follow in illustrious footsteps - and fend off an imposing foreign challenger - when the Irish Youths Amateur Open Championship takes place at Galway GC on Thursday and Friday.
The list of past champions - which includes the likes of Paul McGinley, John McHenry, Keith Nolan and Richie Coughlan - provides an indication of the demands to be met in securing this particular title, although there is a touch of irony in that a Scotsman will actually be seeking a place in the history books when this week's event takes place.
Steven Young, a member of the Scottish team beaten by Spain in the European Team Championship final at Portmarnock, is attempting to become the first player to secure a hat trick of Irish Youths' titles. McHenry won the championship on three occasions (1980, 1981 and 1985) but no one has ever won in three successive years.
Given that Young inflicted a comprehensive 7 and 6 defeat on Sergio Garcia, the teenager dubbed the "new Seve", in their singles match in the Europeans, and that he is considered a certainty for the Walker Cup match against the United States at Quaker Ridge next month, he is clearly the class act in the field.
However, Ireland's leading young players are lining up for a crack at reclaiming the title from Young. Robin Symes (Shandon Park), Nigel Howley (Ballinasloe) and Johnny Foster (Ballyclare) have won the Leinster, Connacht and Munster youths' titles respectively already this season and are part of a strong Irish contingent.
Indeed, Ireland and Scotland - two nations deeply committed to the youths programme - are involved in a representative match at Galway tomorrow, on the eve of the championship. Ironically, Young, being rested after his European exertions, is not a member of the Scottish team.
There is a strong Ulster flavour to the Irish team to face Scotland: Foster, David Jones (City of Derry), who recently won the Waterford Crystal Scratch Cup, Rory Leonard (University of Ulster) and Ciaran McMonagle (Gweedore) are joined by Alan Murray, of Greystones, and Limerick's Tim Rice. The sextet will, naturally enough, also compete in the Irish Youths', along with their Scottish opponents.
Indeed, it is a busy time for many players with all six members of the Irish team for next week's European Boys' Championships in Slovenia playing in Galway prior to flying out to eastern Europe. That team is: Mark Campbell (Stackstown), Lee Dalton (Waterford), Graeme McDowell (Rathmore), Sean McTernan (Co Sligo), Jones and Symes.
. The 96th South of Ireland Championship takes place at its traditional home in Lahinch on July 26th-30th. The South is the oldest of the provincial championships and entry forms for this year's event, which is limited to 192 competitors with the lowest exact handicaps at the closing date, are available from Alan Reardon, secretary/manager, Lahinch (06581003).
. Lilian O'Brien (Claremorris) beat defending champion Sinead Keane (Curragh) in the final of the Connacht Women's Championship at Ballinrobe, while Fiona Prenty of Ballyhaunis held off the challenge of Barbara King (Balllinrobe) to take the junior championship.
