It has often been said that the early bird catches the worm. Well that can certainly be said about the Irish Senior Ladies Close strokeplay championship at Headfort last week. Teeing off in the opening three-ball were Mary McKenna, Valerie Hassett and Mary Madden. And McKenna and Hassett claimed the top two prizes.

In fact, it was a memorable couple of days for Donabate's McKenna. She set a new course record of 75, and her two-round total of 160 saw off the challenge of Hassett on 164.

Third place went to Donegal's Eileen McMullen on 166. The over-60s title was claimed by Ann McClean of Malone with a score of 180, while Milltown's Gerry Costello won the over-70s crown on 187. The nett prize went to Dorothy Hulme of Royal County Down.

McKenna has been named on the Irish Senior Ladies side to face England at Woodbrook on the 20th and 21st. Hassett, Madden and McMullen are also on the team, which is to be managed by Woodbrook's Mary Anderson. The other members are Jane Allen (Royal Portrush), Roma English (Larne), Rhona Fanagan (Milltown), and Terry Sexton (D·n Laoghaire), while Catherine Carthy (Enniscrone and Tullamore) is the one named substitute.