IRELAND BID FOR EUROPEAN TITLE HAT-TRICK

Ireland will begin an attempt on Tuesday morning to become the first country for almost four decades to win three consecutive European men's amateur team championships. Not since England completed a hat-trick of triumphs in Portugal in 1973 has it been achieved - and Ireland know that a stern challenge awaits them this week at Conwy in North Wales. They have a new captain in Kevin Flanagan and three members of their six-strong line up are new to European competition. Niall Kearney and Paul Cutler both played in the winning team in Turin last summer. Simon Ward was in the side two years ago but missed out in Italy but is recalled this time. St Andrews Links Trophy winner Alan Dunbar, Dara Lernihan and Cian Curley make their European bows. Some 20 nations in all are competing with both the winner and runner-up in the Amateur Championship – Matteo Manassero of Italy and England's Sam Hutsby – both in action.