Shandon sweep to their 6th title

There was hardly time for a celebratory drink with his colleagues before Neil Anderson headed from Lahinch last evening, en route to Hawaii. But a hasty departure was readily forgiven in view of Anderson's contribution to a sixth triumph by Shandon Park in the Bulmers Barton Shield.

With no thoughts of playing in the competition, the Belfast pathologist planned the holiday of a lifetime with his wife, Jennifer. After injury doubts about two members of the panel, however, he was prevailed upon to come into the line-up, and to splendid effect. His partnership with former Irish Strokeplay champion Michael Hoey delivered the key performance of the final, as they swept to a six holes win over Gareth Bohill and David Gannon. The other match was called in after 16 when they were all square, leaving Co Louth in an irretrievable position.

"I'm always surprised at doing well here because I think the course doesn't suit me," said the 38-year-old former Walker Cup reserve, who, ironically, captured the South of Ireland title in 1984 and twice recorded six wins out of six in Interprovincial Championships at Lahinch. "I tend to do better over longer courses which place a greater premium on mid-iron play. In this regard, I very much like the changes they have made here, especially the lengthening of the seventh hole and the new greens at the 15th, 16th and 17th."

As it happened, Anderson also experienced Barton Shield success at Kilkenny in 1985, when Michael Hoey's father, Brian, was a member of the side. And on this occasion much of his old skills were in evidence, especially off the tee, as he and his young partner were three under par for the round. The highlight was an eagle three at the second, where Anderson hit a three-wood second shot to six feet.

In the other match, Co Louth's Nigel Beirth and Bryan Ronan were two up after six before their battle with Philip Purdy and Barry Hobson took a crucial turn over the next two holes. When Beirth overshot the green with his approach at the seventh, Hobson pitched to two feet to set up a winning par. And the same Co Louth player had the misfortune to lose his ball off a pulled drive at the next.

Ironically, Shandon Park had a tighter match in the morning semi-finals in which they were a combined three down to Connemara after the 12th. But the two Northern partnerships then edged into a winning position by covering the remaining holes in two under par.

Now, the Belfast club are in a position to complete their first category-one double when they face Ballybunion in the semifinals of the Senior Cup this morning, albeit without Anderson. Remarkably, this happens to be the first time the celebrated Kerry club have emerged from Munster, whereas Shandon have taken the trophy on 12 occasions.

In the other semi-final, David Dunne will be attempting to win medals with two different clubs. Having enjoyed success with Co Sligo, he is now playing for Elm Park against the Westerners. And to add further spice to the exercise, his opponent in the top match is former team-mate Ken Kearney, who was in the triumphant Galway Barton Shield team last year.

Meanwhile, Junior Cup success continues to elude Warrenpoint. After being beaten by Douglas in the final last year, they lost to another Cork side, Monkstown, in yesterday's semi-finals. Two of the matches went to the 18th and Monkstown won both.

Andrew Fitzgerald at number two gained his seventh win out of seven against Paul McCartan. One up after losing the 17th to a birdie, Fitzgerald got the half at the last where his opponent three-putted from 20 feet. Then, at number three, John Herbert sank a 10-footer for a birdie, when two putts would have secured the match.

In the Pierce Purcell Shield - referred to humorously down here as the Fierce Purcell - Beech Park are in line for the fourth All-Ireland pennant in their 18-year history. And 57-year-old Jimmy Delaney has already completed a unique treble, having been in the triumphant Bruen Shield teams of 1992 and 1994 and the Pierce Purcell side of 1996.

Now playing off 13, Delaney was in a winning partnership at the top of the order yesterday in the semi-finals against Templemore and holds his position as Vincent Carney's partner for the final against Roe Park this afternoon.