Golf:Ireland's Paul Cutler (Portstewart), Alan Dunbar (Rathmore) and Paul Dunne (Greystones) have all been included in the preliminary Britain and Ireland squad ahead of the St Andrews Trophy in August (27th-28th).
The Irish trio form part of an 18-player squad that will eventually be whittled down to nine before they take on Continental Europe at Castelconturbia Golf Club in Italy.
This first draft is likely to form the nucleus for Walker Cup selectors when Britain and Ireland take on the Americans at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club in Scotland next year.
Last year Dunne enjoyed success when he captained Britain and Ireland to victory in the Jacque Leglise Trophy.
Wales’ Walker Cup veteran Nigel Edwards will take over captaincy duties for the first time at the St Trophy and Walker Cup.
“We’ve selected a very strong initial squad for this year’s match,” said Edwards, a playing member of victorious St Andrews Trophy teams in 2002, 2004 and 2006. “Every one of the 18 young players is more than capable of excelling at the highest levels of the amateur game.”
“It is now down to the players involved, and to those who narrowly missed out on selection, to use the summer to prove that they are deserving of one of the nine places available in the team.”
The squad will assemble at Celtic Manor Resort for a two-day session on May 10th-11th
St Andrews Trophy Squad:
Jamie Abbott – Fynn Valley
James Byrne – Banchory
Paul Cutler – Portstewart
Alan Dunbar – Rathmore
Paul Dunne – Greystones
Rhys Enoch – Truro
Tommy Fleetwood – Formby Hall
Matthew Haines – Rochester & Cobham
Stiggy Hodgson – Sunningdale
Ross Kellett — Colville Park
David Law — Hazlehead
Tom Lewis — Welwyn Garden City
Chris Lloyd — Kendleshire
Matthew Nixon — Ashton under Lyne
Chris Paisley — Stocksfield
Eddie Pepperell — Drayton Park
Darren Renwick — Hill Barn
Michael Stewart — Troon Wellbeck
Selectors:
Nigel Edwards, Captain – Wales
Tony Disley, Chairman – Wales
Jonathan Plaxton – England
Michael Burns – Ireland
Allan Brodie – Scotland
Mark Heames – Wales