Darren Crowe has won the South of Ireland Championship at the third time of asking after beating Joe Lyons in a tense final at Lahinch today.

Crowe knew this drill only too well as reaching the final at this wonderful links venue in Clare has become something of a habit for the Dunmurry clubman in recent years.

The problem arose, however, in the fact the 26-year-old had yet to finish the job for he had lost the     previous two finals.

But today's victory stops the rot and prevents Crowe from being labelled the 'nearly-man'.  He had to battle hard throughout for a win which went all the way to the 18th green.

Crowe had booked his place in the final after beating promising Royal Dublin teenager Niall Kearney in the semi-final.

That 3 and 2 set up a meeting with Lyons after the West of Ireland champion had the measure of Castletroy's Stephen Moloney by a 2 and 1 margin in the other semi-final.