Teams

Claire's grandfather started her off playing golf at about the age of seven and she began playing competitively when she was 13 and was beaten finalist in the Irish girls' championship in 1997 and 1998.

In 1999, Claire beat former Curtis Cup player Eileen-Rose Power in the final to win the Irish championship. She reached the final again in 2001, losing to Alison Coffey, another past Curtis Cup player, and the semi-finals of the championship last year. She was runner-up in the Irish open stroke-play championship of 2000 and won the title last year by seven shots.

Last September, Claire was the most successful player of all four counties in the home internationals at Cruden Bay, winning five of her six ties. Her performance helped Ireland win the title for the first time since 1986. Finished runner-up to record breaking Emma Duggleby in the Helen Holm Scottish open amateur stroke-play championship at Troon in April. Clare had nine-under-par total of 216, five behind Emma.

Last year she was named among Cork's Greatest 100 Sporting People.

Away from the golf course, Claire is a leisure assistant at Brookfield Leisure Club, Co Cork. She collects ball markers and has more than 300 to date.