Lahinch's Jonathan Keane believes he has the game to become the first local winner of the Pierse Motor Group South of Ireland for 57 years and finally put some golfing silverware in the family trophy cabinet.

Fota Island's David Howard knows he's close to slipping into an Irish blazer after battling his way into the last 16 of the Pierse Motor Group South of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at Lahinch.

Recently crowned AIG Irish Amateur Close champion Thomas Abom will be bidding to de-throne Peter O’Keeffe in next week’s Pinergy Woodbrook Men’s Senior Scratch Cup.

Edmondstown’s Thomas Abom eagled his 16th hole en route to a one-under 71 and a one-shot lead over local hero Richard Sykes heading into this afternoon’s final round of the AIG Irish Men’s Amateur Close at. Dun Laoghaire.

“Pretty solid” was how Seán Keeling described his opening six-under 66 on day one of the AIG Irish Men's Amateur Close Championship, an understated estimation of an impressive bogey-free round which has the young Roganstown golfer sharing top spot with fellow Irish underage international Thomas Abom from Edmondstown.

Millicent’s Brian Doran bounced back from his disappointment in the South of Ireland Championship to claim his first amateur ‘major’ with a two-shot win in the 62nd Mullingar Scratch Trophy.