Four former champions are included in a field of 80 for the Paddy Old Irish Whiskey Men's National Pitch and Putt strokeplay championship at Lakelands next weekend. Niall Cuffe (Kilbeggan) defends the title he won at Fermoy last year with a record low aggregate of 132. Leo O'Reilly from Glenville, who won in 1979, makes a welcome return and will be joined by Frank O'Donoghue (Templebreedy), champion in 1992 and 1998, Lucan's Anthony Malone and John Walsh (Collins), the winner at Seapoint three years ago.

However, the man they may all have to beat is Alan Hanlon, who has won five scratch cups already this season including the Lakeside Cup over the championship course.