Irish Close Champion Ken Kearney (Co Sligo) is out of this week's Senior Interprovincial Championships in Ballybunion. The 29-year-old Connacht star twisted his ankle celebrating last week's victory at Westport and it hasn't responded to treatment.
He will be replaced on the Connacht team by his club colleague Sean McTernan, a member of the Irish Boys team. George Patterson has also had to cry off the Connacht team due to pressure of work. Mel Flanagan (The Island) takes his place.
Holders Munster, with five changes from last year's side, are confident of retaining their title. Sean Quinlavin, Niall Goulding and Thomas Cleary, who return to the side, are experienced campaigners who will strengthen the champions.
But this year's Leinster side looks particularly formidable. With the likes of Walker Cup star Richard Coughlan, Peter Lawrie, beaten by Kearney in the final of the Close, Jody Fanagan, Noel Fox, Adrian Morrow and Michael McGinley, Leinster would appear to be the team to beat in Ballybunion.
A reminder to Leaving Certificate students that there is still time to apply for a golf scholarship at UCD, courtesy of the UCD Graduate Golf Society. Applicants must secure a place in UCD through the usual academic entry criteria as well as being able to demonstrate, by their golfing achievements to date, that they are capable of representing UCD Golf Club at national and international level.
They should also Possess the personal skills necessary to promote UCD as a centre of sporting and academic excellence.
Applications in writing, enclosing a curriculum vitae, should be addressed to: UCD Graduate Golf Society, c/o Ms Suzanne Bailey, Department of Sport, Sports Centre, University College, Belfield, Dublin 4. [SBX]
The late Eddie Hackett, a golfer extraordinaire and highly rated golf course designer and teacher will be remembered at a Special Day in his honour in West Waterford Golf Club on Friday, August 29th. West Waterford, which is built on the banks of the Brickey river with the backdrop of the Comeragh Mountains to the east, the Knockmealdowns to the north and Drum Hills to the south, was the 100th club designed by Eddie and his family will be unveiling a plaque in his honour. Clubs and friends who worked with Eddie throughout the country, are invited to join in the celebrations which will include golf (optional) and buffet.
There was quite a family battle in last week's Wicklow Boys Championship when Charlesland's David Flynn (4) took the title. His twin bother Stephen (6) finished in third place, seven strokes behind. [SBX]
Athlone won the Connacht final of the Jimmy Bruen Shield when they beat Castlerea 3-2 in an exciting final in Ballinasloe. They last won the title in 1995 and now go on to the All-Ireland finals in Dundalk on September 18th.
