A superb four-under-par 65 by John Whooley, off a handicap of nine, helped The Castle to a six-stroke victory in the Leinster Alliance outing for The Irish Times Shield at Dun Laoghaire yesterday. The Castle's victory was a great team performance with Whooley's colleagues Brian Gleeson and Declan Lernihan backing him up magnificently with sub par rounds of 67 and 68 respectively in almost perfect conditions. Their total of 200 was six shots better than second placed Elm Park, with the host club Dun Laoghaire two further back.

The winner's fourth member and captain Barry Keely (9) shot a respectable 72.

Whooley started well when he parred the first and then birdied the 330 metre par four second hole. He reached the turn one over at 34 and when he birdied the 12th, a par five measuring 438 metres, he looked set for a truly remarkable round of golf. But he found the back nine tougher and he finished disappointingly with bogeys on the 17th and 18th holes.

His 65 was matched by Elm Park's Eoin O'Connor who also plays off nine. He had just the one birdie, at the ninth, and also reached the turn in 34. But just like the Castle player, O'Connor found the going much tougher on the second nine. He dropped two shots in quick succession at the start of the back nine but he recovered well to finish strongly with two pars.

Richard O'Donnell (6) was also in form for Elm Park with a one-under-par 68. But their next best card was a four-over-par 73 from Garret Ryan (6).

Third place Dun Laoghaire had two 68s from Dermot Leycock (8) and Bob Giblin (8) and a 72 from Alex Whelan.

The prize for the best Dun Laoghaire member went to Joe Sheerin who shot a three-under-par 66 off a handicap of seven.

The prizes were presented by Des Bury, Personnel Manager, The Irish Times.

Irish Times Shield (at Dun Laoghaire) - Castle 200, John Whooley (9) 65, Brian Gleeson (9) 67, Declan Lernihan (6) 68, Barry Keely (9). Elm Park 206, Eoin O'Connor (9) 65, Richard O'Donnell (6) 68, Garret Ryan (6) 73, Connor Barrett (8) 78. Dun Laoghaire 208, Alex Whelan (8) 72, Hugh Cummins (8) 73, Dermot Leycock 68, Bob Giblin (8) 68. Other scores: Killiney 212, Old Conna 212, Carrickmines 212, Grange 213, Milltown 214, Greystones 215, Edmondstown 217, Hermitage 219, Woodbrook 220, Lucan 228. Disqualified: Slade Valley. No Return Portmarnock.