Irish champion Karen Delaney (Carlow) leads an experienced Irish team in their challenge on the 2007 European Team Championships at Castleconturbia, Italy, this week and there is every hope of a first Irish win since happy days at Royal Waterloo in 1983.

Joining Karen is her younger sister Tara, Danielle McVeigh (Royal Co. Down Ladies), Maura Morrin (The Curragh), Marian Riordan (Tipperary) and recently crowned Leinster champion Deirdre Smith (Co Louth).

One obvious omission from the line up is 2005 and 2006 Irish champion Tricia McDonnell (Ennis) who announced her retirement from competitive golf recently and it is to be hoped that this does not prove costly.

Twelve-year-old twins Leona and Lisa Maguire continue their record-breaking achievements and will be the youngest players to represent Ireland at the Girls (U18) European Team Championships to be held at Oslo Golf Club in Norway, this week. They are fresh from their inspiring 1-2 finish in the Connacht Girls Championship.

Joining the awesome duo are Victoria Bradshaw (Bangor) and Holli Snelling (Killarney) who will have greatly benefited from their experience at last year's championships in Denmark.