THE battle for Ireland to hold the Ryder Cup in 2005 is to receive official government backing. Minister for Sport, Bernard Allen TD, yesterday revealed his plans to establish a "small working group" to lure the biennial competition between Europe and the United States to this country.

Ireland lost out to Valderama as host venue for next year's defence of the trophy, while The Belfry will be the venue when the Ryder Cups is held on this side of the Atlantic again in 2001.

Seve Ballesteros, the current European team captain, has already thrown his weight behind Ireland hosting the event in the future and Allen said: "Given Seve's support for an Irish venue, I feel the time is opportune to make an official move. I intend setting up a small working group to declare a bid for the event in 2005."

"I think it is important to make our intentions known at an early stage so that no one else can move in ahead of us," said Allen. "We have marvellous courses - old and new - and the infrastructure, as well as huge public interest which makes Ireland an ideal host venue."

Allen intends to liase with Minister for Tourism, Enda Kenny TD, in planning a campaign to bring the Ryder Cup event to Ireland.