All Ireland replay causes clash

IN A SPORTING context, the implications of Colm Coyle's equalising point for Meath on Sunday stretched further afield than Croke Park. However, Jamie Birkmyre, the tournament director of the Smurfit European Open, which starts at The K Club on Thursday week, is intent on focusing on the positive aspects, rather than the negative, of a direct clash between the All Ireland final replay and the final round of the £750,000 tournament.

"We intend to make it the biggest weekend in Irish sport," said Birkmyre. "Of course we realise the All Ireland football final is the most important sporting event of the year, but we feel we can operate satisfactorily alongside it. Certainly, we feel Mayo supporters, especially, can make a great weekend of it by coming to the golf on the Saturday before going to the match the next day."

Indeed, the tournament organisers also intend to install a giant television screen in the tented village so that spectators can watch the football match if they so desire.

A meeting between Birkmyre and RTE executives is planned for today to finalise broadcasting plans for the golf. As things stand, the golf is scheduled to finish at approximately six o'clock, ensuring the tournament's finale occurs after the football match.

The presence in the field of Colin Montgomerie, winner of the Murphy's Irish Open at Druids Glen in July, and Ian Woosnam, who are locked in an intriguing battle at the top the European Order of Merit, should add extra spice to the occasion, while the return of Tom Lehman, this time in his capacity as British Open champion, also augurs well for an event in which Bernhard Langer will defend his crown.

That battle at the top of the European Tour money list will be taken a stage further this week when Montgomerie and Woosnam renew rivalry in the inaugural Loch Lomond World Invitational, although the Scot - who now has a lead of £115,250 - appears to have gained the initiative in his attempt to claim the Harry Vardon Trophy for a fourth consecutive year. Peter Oosterhuis, who topped the money list between 1971-74, is the only player to accomplish such a feat.

Equally intriguing is the battle between Raymond Russell and Padraig Harrington for the Sir Henry Cotton trophy, awarded to the rookie of the year. No Irish player has ever won the award - claimed by Sweden's Jarmo Sandelin last year - but Harrington now trails Russell by just £5,704. Both are competing this week.

Harrington, in fact, is part of an Irish contingent to the Scottish Highlands which also includes Ronan Rafferty, Philip Walton, Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley, Des Smyth and Eamonn Darcy. David Higgins, who has secured his Tour card for next year, is first reserve and will take his place in the field should any of the confirmed entries withdraw.

One man who has decided to take a break, however, is Raymond Burns. The 22 year old Banbridge golfer missed the cut in the Lancome Trophy and feels a rest before the European Open will do him good. I have been practising really hard without getting any rewards, so maybe the break will do me the world of good," he said.

Meanwhile, Tiger Woods went close to savouring his first US PGA Tour victory since turning professional last month when leading in to the final round of the Quad City Classic at Coal Valley, Illonois. As events transpired, however, Woods finished in fifth place (earning £28,000 and requiring an estimated £40,000 from his remaining tournaments if he is to avoid a visit to the Tour school).

Ed Fiori, a journeyman professional without a tour win for 14 years, capitalised on the absence of the Tour's top players (who were competing in the President's Cup - won by the USA who beat the International team 16 1/2 to 15 1/2) to claim victory, finishing two shots ahead of Andrew Magee.

. Tipperary and Cork golf clubs, who have been deadlocked over the staging of the Munster final of the Barton Shield, have agreed to play at Tramore on Wednesday (3.0), the eve of the Bulmers All Ireland Cups and Shields finals. Tipperary will be without two of their panelists: John O'Donoghue and Morgan Pierce.