Niamh McSherry best of Irish qualifiers in British Girls’ Championship

Lurgan's Niamh McSherry leads the Irish charge into the knock-out phase of the British Girls Open Amateur Championship at West Kilbride. A second successive one-under-par 72 took McSherry comfortably into the last 64. She had three birdies in the closing six holes and dropped strokes on just two holes during a high-quality performance.

Her fellow Irish international Olivia Mehaffey was not quite as clinical as on the opening day but still managed a one-over-par 74 for a 145 aggregate which also saw her storm into the matchplay stages.

Julie McCarthy from Forrest Little also made it through after a 76 for a 148 total and right at the end of the day Annabel Wilson of Lurgan squeezed into the matchplay draw on the cut-off mark after rounds of 74 and 75..

In the British Boys Championship County Louth’s Thomas Mulligan spearheaded the Irish challenge. He returned a one-under-par 70 at Royal Birkdale helped by three birdies in the last four holes. Peter Kerr from Royal Portrush posted a level par 72 at Southport and Ainsdale to put himself in a strong position to secure one of the 64 matchplay places.

Ireland begin the defence of the Home Internationals this morning when they face 2013 champions England in their opener at Royal Portrush with five new players in their ranks. Walker Cup star Gavin Moynihan heads up an 11-man Irish contingent featuring six of last year's winning side.