IF YOU doubt that home advantage counts for much, the Leinster Branch sectional qualifiers in the Irish Junior Cup last weekend provided rather convincing evidence that it does give teams a significant edge.

In all, five qualifiers were played at Royal Dublin, Elm Park, Blainroe, Castlecomer and Trim. And, surprise, surprise, Trim were the only home team not to make it to the finals at Co Louth on July 5th-6th. Royal Dublin and Donabate emerged from the Bull Island venue; Elm Park and Old Conna came through at Elm Park; Blainroe at Blainroe, Castlecomer at Castlecomer and Laytown and Bettystown were the only club to defy the odds by winning at Trim.

The quarter final line up at Baltray is Royal Dublin v Moate; Donabate v Laytown and Bettystown; Old Conna v Castlecomer and Elm Park v Blainroe.

DID you hear the one about the captain and the president?

The sizzling weather at Lismore Golf Club was matched by equally fine scoring on the course ... and club captain Richard Osborne and the Co Waterford club's president Denis McCarthy were very much to the fore!

So much so, in fact, that Osborne only managed to beat McCarthy thanks to a better back nine in the 18 holes strokeplay competition. Osborne, playing off six, had a nett 65 which was equalled by 13 handicapper McCarthy.

DROMOLAND'S Michael Sweeney made a successful invasion of Charleville's Junior Scratch Cup on Sunday. The ninehandicapper shot a gross 75 to beat Brendan O'Leary, of Fermoy, with a better back nine.

THE Mitsubishi Electric Joe Dolan Celeb Am Classic, in association with the Links Golf Society, will take place at Portmarnock Golf Club on July 7th.