Perhaps it stemmed from a decision not to try again for the Bulmers Pierce Purcell team at Gort this season. For him, there had been many golfing days in the sun. And there was the wonderful bonus of 2003, when those days became a family affair.

The O'Shaughnessys from Kinvara boast five Bulmers All-Ireland medals. And it's likely there'll be more, given the instincts of Noel's sons Niall and Noel Jr.

"It's probably time I eased myself out of that sort of stuff and concentrated more on senior golf, " said the head of the clan. "But I might give the Pierce Purcell another go next year."

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Gort's triumph three years ago, was Niall O'Shaughnessy had two different partners from his family. In a first-round win over Loughrea, he played with his father who missed the second round due to illness. Noel Jr stepped in, away to Portumna. "We were three down after five but fought back to win, " said Niall with pride.

But Noel Sr was back for the rest of the competition.

And when it came to a triumphant climax at Lisburn, the O'Shaughnessys claimed three winners' medals, to add to the two which the father earned with Galway GC.

Through his job, O'Shaughnessy was based in Sligo where he became a member in Strandhill, before moving to Rosses Point. Then his work brought him to Galway city, where he joined Mattie McDonagh and Pat Donnellan in the All-Ireland Pierce Purcell wins of 1988 and 1992.

"After my baptism at Co Sligo, I was ready for anything. I took a year out in 1993, because of an injured back, so I missed another Pierce Purcell win by Galway. Then I moved back to Kinvara.

"Among the friends I made at Co Sligo was the late Sean Flanagan. He was a gas ticket. And the footballers added spice to the matches with Galway GC, making sure we were psyched-up.

"As a fellow addict, it suited me. I enjoyed it immensely and have fond memories of partnering Kevin Geraghty in '88 and Willie Burke four years later. And it was interesting to compare the reactions of club members.

Galway were used to success through the years, but Gort had never won anything.

Which probably explains why they treated us so well."

And what about playing with his sons? "I've found if you're happy with your partner, it makes the competition more enjoyable and our success has been very fulfilling."

Niall, a 35-year-old lecturer in Limerick IT, won't be playing Pierce Purcell golf this year either. But for him, it has to do with a handicap now down to six. Instead, he hopes to play in both the Bruen Shield and Junior Cup.

And like his father, he has experienced disappointment at All-Ireland level, having been in Gort's Pierce Purcell team which lost 4-1 to Kanturk in the 2001 final.

"Michael Cunningham, a local Fianna Fail councillor, put the '03 team together, and it just so happened that the handicaps of the three of us matched, " he said. "Partnering a family member in foursomes, you know they're aware of what you can do.

"It was only when I started lecturing, at 26, that I had the time to take golf seriously.

But my dad had always been keen. In 2003, I won the captain's prize at Gort and my brother Noel won it last year.

Now he's down to eight. But I would far prefer team golf. I knew the buzz my dad got from it and he seems to have passed it on to us."

With immediate effect, the O'Shaughnessy plan is to deliver more good times to Gort, through inter-club competition. And Noel Snr will be keeping a watching brief.