She was in tears that her parents missed her moment of glory but Enniscrone’s Sarah Helly paid them the greatest tribute possible by using her sparking short game to clinch a shock win over Olivia Mehaffey in the Irish Women’s Amateur Close Championship over the Old Tom Morris Links at stunning Rosapenna.

She might have some way to go to catch world No 1 Leona Maguire but Olivia Mehaffey can pick up her fourth title of the season in this afternoon's Irish Women's Amateur Close final at Rosapenna Hotel and Golf Resort.

The Heath’s Mary Doyle remained on course to retain her Irish Women’s Close title at Rosapenna as Olivia Mehaffey continued her bid for a fourth title this season.

Title favourite Olivia Mehaffey remained on course for her fourth win of the year in the Irish Women’s Close at stunning Rosapenna.

Olivia Mehaffey birdied two of her last four holes to head the qualifiers in the Irish Women's Close  from Enniscrone's Sarah Helly and set up a first round clash with Laytown and Bettystown's Barbara Cooney at Rosapenna Hotel and Golf Resort on Sunday.

World amateur No 1 Leona Maguire has opted to skip the Irish Women's Close at Rosapenna to better prepare for the Vagliano Trophy, a Ladies European Tour appearance and the European Ladies Team Championship.

Irish women’s golf has gone through many ups and downs over the years but there has nearly always been a big star to keep things ticking over from a Philomena Garvey or Clarrie Reddan to a Mary McKenna or a Maureen Madill.