Campbell set for return in Warrenpoint Scratch Cup

Colm Campbell holes a crucial putt for Warrenpoint. Picture: Pat Cashman

International Colm Campbell hopes to make his long-awaited comeback from injury by defending the Warrenpoint Senior Scratch Cup on Sunday 

The 31-year old has been out of the game for six months after general wear and tear led to him developing a Hook of Hamate injury in his left hand.

Winner of the East of Ireland title in 2014 and the Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin two years ago, he hopes to be fit enough to tee it up at the weekend so he can return to top class action in next week's Flogas Irish Amateur Open at Royal County Down.

"It's been a long six months," said Campbell, who decided not to tee it up in last weekend's Munster Strokeplay at Cork Golf Club as a precaution.

"I was entered for the Munster Strokeplay but it came a week too early. But I'm 99% sure I’ll be playing on Sunday and playing Irish Amateur too."

Winning the AIG Senior Cup this year after suffering three defeats in finals is one of Campbell's big goals with his club, which has attracted a quality field for Sunday's event.

Irish Close champion Jamie Fletcher, former Walker Cup star Paddy Gribben, brothers Jack and Robbie Pierse, Tandragee's William Small and Stefan Greenberg, former West of Ireland champion Rory Leonard, Castlerock's Aaron Kearney and Cairndhu's Ryan and Marc McKinstry are just some of the well-known names teeing it up over 36 holes.

Apart from Campbell, Fletcher and Paddy Gribben, the Warrenpoint challenge also features Munster Strokeplay runner-up Ryan Gribben, Paul Reavey, David Barron, Ros Carvill, Stephen Coulter, Colm Campbell Snr, Tim Cunningham, Shane McMahon and Paul McCartan.