When the Irish Open was revived at Woodbrook in 1975, Eamonn Darcy was tied-third behind his friend Christy O'Connor Jnr, while Des Smyth finished some way down the field in a share of 62nd place. Twenty-four years on, Darcy and Smyth are two of only three Irish survivors from what has become the championship's worst home challenge on record.

From an original entry of 22 Irish players, the survival of the old hands reflects admirably enduring talent. But, sadly, it also stands as an indictment of those who could reasonably have been expected to pick up the baton and carry Irish golfing aspirations into the next century. Richie Coughlan, playing in the tournament on a sponsor's invite, birdied the 18th to ensure his presence for the weekend.

Over that period (1975-1999), an average of 9.5 Irish competitors made the cut in their national open championship every year. Indeed, the figure was as high as 16 in 1977 when Skerries professional Jimmy Kinsella, on medication for a serious heart problem at the time, is remembered for his remarkably brave third place finish behind Hubert Green.

It could be argued, of course, that standards have risen appreciably since then, with a significant upsurge in the quality of competitors from continental Europe, as well as a larger number of Antipodeans. Yet, it is interesting to note that when Bernhard Langer beat Seve Ballesteros in a play-off for the title at Royal Dublin in 1984, the cut-off figure was 142 (two under par), a mark that could hardly be viewed as freakish in so far as the qualifying mark at the same venue the previous year was level par 144.

Granted, players had the advantage of fast-running links fairways. But the fact remained that, with an overall length of 6,879 yards, Royal Dublin presented a worthy championship challenge.

Also, as far as a perceived strengthening of fields is concerned, it is worth reflecting that the Irish Open at Portmarnock in 1979 included three major winners from the United States - Al Geiberger, John Mahaffey and Orville Moody - as well as other star turns in Bob Charles, Ed Sneed and Mark McCumber. Yet, despite such a high-quality invasion force, 11 Irish players managed to make the cut that year.

Even in the least productive years from an Irish standpoint - in 1996 and 1998, both at Druids Glen - a relatively strong representation of five home players survived to the last two rounds. So, the survival rate of just three players makes this latest statistic all the more depressing in this Ryder Cup year and emphasises the current value of Darren Clarke, an absentee from this year's tournament.

In the circumstances, one could forgive our cross-channel brethren a quiet chuckle while they inquired about the success of the youth policy in Irish golf. What should be a shop window has become more of an undertaker's parlour this weekend.

Apart from the onward march of Darcy, only Smyth and Coughlan responded to the challenge sufficiently to make it into the final two rounds. Indeed, both players were forced to show considerable fortitude to ensure survival.

"It was quite simply one of the best rounds I've ever made," claimed Smyth of his 69 for 142, right on the cut mark. Although he'd covered the outward journey in three under par, the Drogheda man incurred a double bogey six at the infamous 13th, where he shanked a five-iron approach shot. The ball was never seen again.

That brought him back to level par for the championship, but at the 17th he hit a five-iron tee-shot to 12 feet and holed the birdie putt. He needed the cushion, because he bogeyed the last after hitting his drive into rough. "I've never made a cut here before, so I'm quite happy about that," said Smyth. "But the cut is amazingly low. I think its because the wind didn't blow and the rough is not as tough as in the past."

Coughlan was forced to show even greater courage to sign for a second round 71 for 142. The 25-year-old Birr man stood over his approach shot to the last knowing he required a birdie to survive. With 187 yards to the flag, he hit a four-iron approach to 15 feet and sank the putt. "I'm thrilled to make it. I just scraped around. I wasn't doing anything bad, but I wasn't doing anything good either. It was a grind."

Elsewhere, Padraig Harrington had the ignominy to double-tap his ball from three inches at the 15th on his way to a 74 for 144 which meant he missed the cut by two shots. He immediately called the shot on himself and informed playing partner Colin Montgomerie.

"It's the first time in my life I've ever done anything like that. I was trying to ensure I didn't stand on anyone's line and just lost concentration," he said.