Now that the deal has been secured with handshakes lined with Irish money, prospective venues can prepare their case for staging the Ryder Cup in Ireland in 2005. However, in meeting the European Tour's requirements, Portmarnock Golf Club's male-only membership policy could prove a stumbling block in their aspirations to stage the event.

Dr Jim McDaid, the Minister for Sport, inferred as much when the official announcement of Ireland obtaining the Ryder Cup match was made in Valderrama yesterday. Although, moments earlier, he had stated that the decision about which course would host the event would rest solely with the Ryder Cup Committee, McDaid said: "The Government will make them quite aware of our policy on equality."

Given that the United States has yet to name a venue for their hosting of the 2003 match, there is clearly no rush on the part of the European Tour to nominate an Irish venue. "Protocol alone forbids us from making a quick decision. Our process for inviting applications will get under way in September of next year," said Ken Schofield, the Chief Executive of the European Tour.

"There are five or more courses, possibly as many as 10, capable of holding the Ryder Cup in Ireland. There are two main criteria which the committee will access in reaching a decision. One is the golf course itself, and it is then a dead heat with finding one that is also able to provide a challenge for the players," said Schofield.

McDaid has secured a unique deal, albeit at a cost.

Ireland will commit approximately £8 million - from public and private funds - over an eight-year period up to 2005. The Government is currently seeking support from the private sector (a number of unnamed bodies have already expressed strong interest) in the partnership.

As part of the commitment, Bord Failte has secured the right for onsite publicity for Ireland at the three Ryder Cup matches preceding 2005, namely Boston in 1999, The Belfry in 2001 and whatever US venue gets the verdict for 2003. Another important element of the deal is that the Ryder Cup Committee will locate their ticket-selling unit for the 2005 match in Ireland.

"The bottom line in securing the deal was money," said McDaid. "I had a meeting with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance and I told them: `I want to get this competition'. After that, it was an ordinary business deal with the European Tour.

"Getting the Ryder Cup is a huge boost for Ireland. It is the largest sporting event in Europe and will have huge implications for golfing tourism which already generates £100 million annually for the country. This deal not only gives us the Ryder Cup, but also a sustained marketing campaign over an eight-year period."