Even Leinster Branch chairman Albert Lee was slightly taken aback at the response to the inaugural Leinster Schools' Junior Team event which is taking place for the first time this year.

The under-15 three-man team competition aimed at Junior Certificate students was established by the Leinster Branch in response to queries from schoolteachers who felt there was an opening in this area - and their observations were vindicated by an entry of 70 schools in the province. "It is a sign that an increasing number of youngsters are now playing the sport," said Lee, "and it is certain to become an established part of our season for future years."

Eight schools - Colaiste Phadraig, Presentation College Bray, Cabinteely CS, St MacDara's CS, St Paul's Raheny, Colaiste Choilm, St Joseph's Portarlington and Good Counsel New Ross - have qualified for the provincial finals at Craddockstown on Wednesday.

"The upshot of it all is that the Leinster Branch has decided to set up a sub-committee consisting of teachers and members of the branch's junior administrators so that young players can be harnessed," said Lee. Indeed, the Leinster branch recently added three PGA coaches to their development set-up with the arrival of Damien McGrane (Wexford), Shane O'Grady (Black Bush) and Simon Byrne (Hermitage) into the coaching structure of the branch.