Golf:Niall Kearney and Paul Cutler were today named on the six-man Ireland team that will go in search of a third consecutive European Team Championship win at Conwy Golf Club in Wales at the end of June.

Royal Dublin’s Kearney and Portstewart’s Cutler – who won the East of Ireland at Baltray earlier this month - were on the winning side at Royal Park in Turin, Italy last year.

This time around they are joined by Baltray’s Simon Ward, who was a member of the 2007 side - alongside the likes of Rory McIlroy - when Ireland won at Western Gailes in Scotland.

Alan Dunbar (Rathmore), Dara Lernihan (Castle) and Cian Curley (Newlands) complete the six-man team and will make their European Championship debuts when proceedings get underway in Wales from June 30th-July 4th.

Co Sligo’s Kevin Flanagan is the non-playing team captain.

The inaugural championship took place in 1959 and was staged every two years until 2007. Ireland has won on six occasions; 1965, 1967, 1983, 1987, 2007 and 2008.

Ireland team:
Cian Curley (Newlands)
Paul Cutler (Portstewart)
Alan Dunbar (Rathmore)
Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin)
Dara Lernihan (Castle)
Simon Ward (County Louth)

Non-playing team captain:Kevin Flanagan (County Sligo)