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Ireland's Gary Murphy secured his European Tour Card for next season in some style today as the tiring six day Qualifying School Finals drew to a close in southern Spain.
As the day developed, it became clear Murphy was never in doubt of regaining his card. Instead the 30-year-old went about challenging for honours rather than scrambling for his livelihood, which is what Damien McGrane had to do.
The Wexford club professional also secured his card, by the skin of his teeth tied for 32nd place, as only the top 35 players and ties gained Category 11 membership to next season's lucrative main Tour.
McGrane looked to be cruising as he reached the turn in three-under before a reality check resulted in a collapse on the back nine. Upon realising the prospect of playing week-in week-out on a £60+million Tour, it caused the 31-year-old to limp home in four-over 40.
In the end it didn't matter because McGrane's 72 for an 11-under total was good enough to start living the dream.
Murphy came within five shots of the eventual winner, Sweden's Per Nyman, who won with an impressive 28-under total at the Emporda Golf Club.
The Swede closed with a 66 as Murphy shot one higher, his fifth round of the week in the 60's as the Kilkennyman carded six birdies with just two dropped shots to tie for fifth place.
The news was less joyous, if not downright heart-breaking, for the other 50 per cent of the Irish contingent. Stephen Browne closed with a final round 68 for a 10-under par six round aggregate but missed out by a single shot.
Gary Cullen didn't have to endure Browne's agony as the Dubliner could only manage a level par 71 to finish on six-under, five shots adrift of the magical qualifying number.
A total of seven Irishmen set out with a dream at the start of the week. Three fell by the wayside when the cut was made after four rounds.
Philip Walton was perhaps the most unfortunate by missing out on the final two rounds by a single shot. It was the Dubliner's fourth unsuccessful trip to the Tour School.
Last year's British Amateur champion, Michael Hoey, and Killarney amateur Danny Sugrue also dropped out at this stage.
Tonight two Irishmen will begin to realise the magnitude of their achievements over the last week. For many others they will have to come to terms with disappointment and then assess what options lie ahead.