“Pretty solid” was how Seán Keeling described his opening six-under 66 on day one of the AIG Irish Men's Amateur Close Championship, an understated estimation of an impressive bogey-free round which has the young Roganstown golfer sharing top spot with fellow Irish underage international Thomas Abom from Edmondstown.

American Patrick Adler timed his first hole-in-one to perfection when he aced the 16th to clinch a dream spot in the semi-finals of the Pierse Motors VW-sponsored South of Ireland Championship at sun-splashed Lahinch.

Colm Campbell remains on course to defend his title in the Pierse Motors VW-sponsored South of Ireland Championship but Lahinch is also hopeful of getting its first home winner since 1968.

The old debate over the value of youth over experience will be settled at Lahinch today as a string of veterans take on some young guns in the last 16 of the Pierse Motors VW-sponsored South of Ireland Championship.

Bookies' favourite Alex Maguire became the first player for 30 years to successfully defend the East of Ireland Amateur Championship when he beat Dundalk's Carolan Rafferty and Portumna's Sam Maguire in a three-hole aggregate playoff at a sun-splashed County Louth.

Slieve Russell’s Shane McDermott eagled the 18th to card a second successive 68 and take a one-stroke lead into the final two rounds of the East of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at County Louth.

Harry Gillivan hit the crossbar when he was beaten in the final of the Munster Amateur Championship at Cork in May, but he’s in a scoring position again at County Louth, where a five-under 67 gave him a one-shot lead after the opening round of the East of Ireland Amateur Open Championship.