GOLF: Alison Coffey received the news she has been awaiting four years at the weekend - that she is to become a Curtis Cup international.
The 29-year-old Irish champion, from Warrenpoint, is included in the eight-strong Britain and Ireland side to face the Americans in Pittsburgh in August.
"I have been building towards this for four years. I was disappointed not to be in a team at Ganton in 2000, but now that is forgotten as I look forward to the match in America," said Coffey.
She played in the Espirito Santo trophy tournament in Berlin two years ago and was also in the Vagliano Trophy team that lost to the Continent of Europe last July in Venice, but inclusion in the Curtis Cup side is what she wanted more than anything else.
She is one of six cup newcomers in the line-up for Pittsburg and only the Yorkshire pair of Rebecca Hudson and Emma Duggleby have played in the biennial contest before.
There was encouraging news also for Beaverstown's scratch handicapper Martina Gillen, who was named as second reserve. Coffey failed in her bid to become the first Irish winner of the championship for 17 years when she lost 3 and 2 in the semi-finals to Lindsey Wright. Wright lost 5 and 4 in the final to Hudson.
Britain and Ireland (v USA): A Coffey (Warrenpoint); E Duggleby (Malton and Norton); R Hudson (Wheatley); S Jones (Pennard); V Laing (Musselburgh); F Moore (Chesterfield); K Smith (Waterlooville); H Stirling (Bridge of Allan). Reserves: E Pilgrim (St Pierre); M Gillen (Beaverstown); L Morton (Tulliallan); B Brewerton(Abergele).
