SEAN QUINLIVAN wasted no time in dashing off to Portrush to prepare for the Carlsberg North of Ireland Championship after missing the cut in the Murphy's Irish Open at Druids Glen.

Quinlivan packed his clubs immediately on Friday evening and drove north to test the Dunluce links in an effort to be ready for this morning's tee- off - along with 299 others.get in as much practice beforehand as possible," explained the 22-year-old. Defending champion Michael McGinley will be there to hopefully retain the trophy but the man he beat in the final last year, Brian Omelia, has cried off due to whiplash after taking a tumble while playing football.

Apart from Omelia, scratched from the competition are local member David Cameron, former finalist Paddy O'Donnell (Whitehead), Pat Shallow (Tuam) and Brian McGranaghan (Galway).