The Irish Women's Amateur Open Strokeplay Championship in Birr this weekend has attracted a record entry of almost 80 with the talented Rebecca Coakley back again to defend her title. Coakley, who represents Carlow but comes from Australia, won't, however, have to take on a field of 80 as rules permit only 60 players to take part in the attractive event. This rule may be changed next year.

Due to a number of cancellations there are now three competitors with handicaps of 8.0 in the draw whereas 7.5 was the original highest handicap cut-off point. Fifty per cent of the field have handicaps of four or below.

Excluding Irish entries, players from Germany, California, Norway, England, Scotland and Coakley (Australia/Carlow) have submitted entries to give the event something of an international flavour.

As of yesterday there were seven players from Scotland listed, all of them with handicaps of two or lower including the Scottish amateur champion, Linzi Morton.

Coakley comes into the event as she did last year with a recent championship behind her. Shooting a 66 and a 67 on her way to winning the Curragh Scratch Cup, the young player is obviously again in great form. Given that the weather remains reasonable, good scores are expected.

Meanwhile, Irish championship Alison Coffey could play a key role in Britain and Ireland's attempts to win back the Vagliano Trophy from the Continent of Europe over the next two days at the Circola club on the famous Venice Lido.

Coffey goes straight into action in this morning's first foursomes session playing with hardened Hampshire campaigner Kerry Smith in the third match out on the course. Spearheading the challenge this morning will be reigning European champion Emma Duggley.