John Murphy had no joy in Portrush yesterday at the North of Ireland.  Murphy was through to the last 16 but lost out in a tight match against Derek Downie.  A disappointed Murphy headed back to Cork yesterday but one marginal benefit was a day off today as he prepares to join Kinsale’s challenge for the Barton Shield this weekend.

AIG Barton Shield :: South Munster 2017 Draw

Macroom plays host to the AIG Barton Shield tomorrow.  Sixteen clubs will descend on the mid Cork course for the first eight round matches.  It will be a busy morning, a two tee start means that all sixteen fourballs will be on the course by 9.30am.  Two rounds are scheduled for tomorrow with the four semi-finalists going to play on Sunday morning.  Cork Golf Club will be hoping to get their 2017 campaign off to a good start, the 2016 Munster Champions face Fermoy.  Play in Macroom gets underway at 8.30am.

Meanwhile on Sunday Mahon and East Cork will head for Killarney for the Purcell and Bruen Munster finals.