Amateur Scene/Irish Women's Close Championship: Leading qualifier Maura Morrin of the Curragh club was sensationally beaten on the 20th hole by final qualifier Maura Diamond of Royal Portrush in the Lancome Irish Women's Close Championship at Portsalon Golf Club yesterday.
Morrin was in control from the start and enjoyed a three-hole lead through eight holes. But after losing the 12th, 13th and 14th to go back to all square, Morrin again edged ahead again to be dormie playing the 17th.
A winning par from Diamond at the 17th took the match to the final hole where Diamond hit a magnificent five-wood to a foot for a wining eagle three.
The 19th was halved in par and Diamond secured the surprise victory with a par five on the 20th.
Elsewhere, third qualifier Danielle McVeigh of Royal Co Down was beaten on 17th by Daragh McGowan.
Vagliano team members Claire Coughlan and Martina Gillen safely negotiated the opening round. Coughlan beat Milltown's Deirdre Walsh 2 and 1 while Gillen beat Hermitage's Suzie Hayes 7 and 6.
IRISH WOMEN'S CLOSE CHAMPIONSHIP (Portsalon GC) First round: M Diamond (Royal Portrush) bt M Morrin (Curragh) at 20th; C Tucker (Limerick) bt G O'Leary (Cork) 2 up; S Keane (Curragh) bt DM Conaty (Ashbourne) 3 and 2; M Gillen (Beaverstown) bt S Hayes (Hermitage) 7 and 6; C Coughlan (Cork) bt D Walsh (Milltown) 2 and 1; S O'Sullivan (Galway) bt V Bradshaw (Bangor) at 20th; G Hegarty (Greencastle) bt S Meadow (Royal Portrush) 3 and 2; K Delaney (Carlow) bt M Hayes (Tralee) 4 and 2, D McGowan (Ballybofey and Stranorlar) bt D McVeigh (RCDL) 2 and 1; T Mangan (Ennis) bt M Dunne (Skerries) 4 and 3; D Smith (Co Louth) bt N Kitching (Claremorris) 6 and 4; H Nolan (Shannon) bt S McVeigh (RCDL) 5 and 4; M Riordan (Tipperary) bt A Geoghegan (Athlone) 2 and 1; M Dowling (New Ross) bt M Carroll (Grange) 5 and 4; H Jones (Strabane) bt J Gannon (Co Louth) at 19th; T Delaney (Carlow) bt J Black (Knock) 4 and 3.
ITA WALLACE PLATE - First round: P Doran (Donabate) bt V Houston (City of Derry) 1 up; F Carroll (Athenry) bt AM Dalton (Coollattin) 2 and 1; C Reid (Gracehill) bt J Cronin (Killarney) 1 up; J Kinnear (Belvoir Park) bt B McQuade (Fintona) 5 and 4; N Taggart (Belvoir Park) bt C Arnmanasco (Enniscrone) 7 and 5; A Parker (Greenore) bt O Purfield (Co Louth) 2 up; N Quigg (City of Derry) bt B McLarnon (Fortwilliam) 6 and 4; A Kilmartin (Warrenpoint) bt B Cooney (Laytown and Bettystown) 6 and 4. Second round: Doran bt Carroll 4 and 3; Reid bt Kinnear 4 and 2; Taggart bt Parker 5 and 4; Quigg bt Kilmartin 3 and 2.
