GOLF: Four of the six Irishmen selected in last week's Walker Cup squad have been named by the Golfing Union of Ireland (GUI) to compete in the Portuguese and Spanish Amateur Opens over the next fortnight.

Shane Lowry (Esker Hills), Paul Culter (Portstewart), Dara Lernihan (Castle) and Alan Dunbar (Rathmore) will be by Luke Lennox from Moyola Park to make up the Irish representation in Portugal and Spain.

Lowry, the Irish Close and North of Ireland champion, and Cutler were both members of the Ireland team that successfully defended the European Amateur Team Championship in Italy last year and were also on last year’s winning Home International team.

After players like Rory McIlory, Jonathan Caldwell and Richard Kilpatrick joined the paid ranks over the last 18 months, there have been greater opportunities for younger players to step up a level.

Lennox, Lernihan and Dunbar were also members of last year’s Home International team with Lernihan finishing runner-up to Paul O’Hanlon in the Irish Amateur Close Championship.

Still in their teens Dunbar and Lennox were also members of the Boys Home International that won in Royal County Down last year.

The quintet will compete in next week’s Portuguese event at Troia Golf Club from February 19th-22nd before lining up in the Spanish equivalent the following week at Seville Golf Club (February 25th– 1st).

GUI Representatives
Shane Lowry (Esker Hills)
Paul Cutler (Portstewart)
Luke Lennox (Moyola Park)
Dara Lernihan (Castle)
Alan Dunbar (Rathmore)