Ballybunion GC last night voted at a special general meeting to overturn a committee decision and sanction the staging of the Murphy's Irish Open at the club next year.

Club captain Fintan Scannell is expected to issue a statement on the matter today in anticipation of a response from sponsors Murphy's.

Last night's meeting was called to vote on a motion proposed by Michael Nagle and seconded by Eric Browne that Ballybunion would be capable of accommodating between 10,000 and 12,000 spectators per day in the event of the Irish Open going there.

This was more than double the limit set by a committee decision.

In the event, a secret ballot brought an overwhelming vote in favour of the motion. Clearly, a groundswell of local opinion rallied to the cause in the hope of resurrecting a project that is estimated to be worth more than £10 million to the area.

Fears expressed by agronomist Dr Tom Kavanagh that the dune structure of the links could be damaged by spectators was countered by a report from European Tour greenkeeping consultant Richard Stillwell. The upshot of this decision is expected to be a rethink by Murphy's.

Their managing director, Padraic Liston, is a club member and a native of the North Kerry resort.