CURTIS CUP PREVIEW:IRELAND'S MOST successful woman golfer of all time Mary McKenna reaches the pinnacle of her career today when she captains the Curtis Cup side that takes on the Americans over the famous Old Course at St Andrews - and she is fired up for the occasion.

McKenna, from Donabate, played in nine successive contests from 1970 to 1986, but this is the first time the most-capped Britain and Ireland player has been feted with the captaincy.

Although there is not an Irish player in the eight-strong team, she is not at all disappointed with the make-up of four Scottish, three English and one Welsh in the line-up.

"I would not change one of them, they are all fantastic," said McKenna.

For the first time in the 76-year history of the biennial competition rivalry will be over three days, similar to the format of the Ryder Cup, with eight singles on the final day.

McKenna does not believe the extension from two days will be a particular advantage to either side, but still welcomes the move.

"It means that there is no decision-making for me on the final day as all eight will play in the singles," she said. "And people who have travelled far and wide will have three days' golf to watch."

While the captain accepts it is a young team, with five teenagers included, she believes it is one of considerable experience with so many out in America playing regularly against members of the US team in college events.

Only one member of the Britain and Ireland team played in Oregon in 2006, 20-year-old Breanne Loucks, and she secured three points out of three then.

By far the youngest player on either side is 15-year-old Carly Booth, who has been suffering with a rash and throat infection which kept her off the course on Wednesday. Although the teenager said she was ready to play, captain McKenna has omitted her from this morning's foursomes.

"In practice the girls have given it 100 per cent and I could not have asked for more. Now for the real thing," said McKenna.

While there are no Irish players in the home side, a Galway-born golfer with dual citizenship is turning out for the Americans: 23-year-old Alison Walshe, currently a student at the University of Arizona who won the prestigious Harder Hall Invitational earlier this year.

Walshe left Galway when she was just five because of her father's job, but still has plenty of family in Ireland.

"Around 10 relations and some friends have travelled - there's a great atmosphere out there,"said Walshe.

Liz Bennett, at 25 the oldest member of the home team, sets the ball rolling this morning partnering England colleague Jodi Ewart against Walshe and Stacy Lewis.

Booth and Scottish compatriot Krystle Caithness are left out of the foursomes.

TODAY'S PAIRINGS FOURSOMES (Britain and Ireland names first)

L Bennett and J Ewart  v S Lewis and A Walshe

S Watson and M Thomson  v M Harigae and J Lee

B Loucks and F Parker  v A Blumenherst and T Joh

On TV: Golf Night (Sky Sports 2, 8.30pm - highlights)