"Better late than never" might well have been the cry of Tim Barry when he captured the captain's prize at Rathdowney Golf Club on Sunday. The competition was originally scheduled for the previous week, but fell victim to the inclement weather . . . and the final 18 holes were held a week later than planned. Which obviously suited Barry, playing golf for little more than 18 months.

Barry went out holding a 70 and added a nett 67 to charge up the leaderboard. And even a superb 63 nett from Anthony Delahunty - which catapulted him into second place - failed to dislodge the winner.

Edmondstown may have entered the fray as favourites after collecting their first GUI pennant in 53 years with their win in the Metropolitan Cup last week, but even home advantage couldn't sway things in their favour when the played host to the Dublin Team Trophy last Sunday. Instead, the honours went to their near-neighbours Rathfarnham who edged out Stackstown in a fantastic contest by a one-shot margin. Rathfarnham won with a nett total of 293, one stroke clear of Stackstown with Hazel Grove another shot further back in third.