A deficit of two and a half points proved just too much of a handicap for Ireland to overhaul as they went down 5½ - 3½ to hot favourites England in the opening series of matches in the Girls' Home Internationals at Hermitage yesterday.
Holders, England are seeking a third title in a row and they made the ideal start when winning the morning foursomes 2½-½ with the Delaney sisters Tara and Karen having to settle for a half match after being three up with four to play against Natalie Haywood and Sophie Walker.
However, the Irish girls came out with renewed spirit in the afternoon and had pulled level at 3½ points with two matches still on the course. But England finished the stronger with Bandon's Alison Kingston going down 3 and 2 to Faye Sanderson and Dawn Marie Conaty, from the Ashbourne club, losing on the 16th to Rosie Youngman.
"I'm disappointed with the result," said Irish captain Evelyn Hearn. "But I'm also delighted with the spirit they showed in the afternoon to take three matches."
Heather Nolan, who takes-up a scholarship at Michigan State University next month, raced into a three-hole lead at the turn against Laura Eastwood, went five up with wins at the 10th and 11th before losing the 12th to par. The Shannon girl, however, was back to five up after 13 and despite losing the 14th, closed out the match on the next green.
Karen Delaney showed all the determination that has made her one of the top under-aged players in the country when she held off a determined fight-back from Sophie Walker. Three up after eight, the Carlow player was hit with two birdies at nine and 10 to be back to one. Still one up playing the last, Delaney pitched and putted for a two-hole win.
Sinead O'Sullivan, after the disappointment of the foursomes, produced her best golf in an afternoon's 5 and 4 win over Alexandra Marshall. Three up after nine, the Galway girl won three of the next five holes to win on the 14th.
A young Wales side, with only one player over the age of 16, beat Scotland 5½ to 3½ after losing the foursomes 2-1. Melanie Peake secured the winning point when she hit a five-wood to two feet at the last against Jenna Wilson for a one-hole victory.
ENGLAND 5½ IRELAND 3½
Foursomes (England names first): N Haywood, S Walker halved with T Delaney, K Delaney; A Marshall, F Sanderson bt H Nolan, S O'Sullivan 5 and 3; F Johnson, R Youngman bt D M Conaty, A Duggan 5 and 4. (England 2½ Ireland ½). Singles: L Eastwood lost to H Nolan 4 and 3; S Walker lost to K Delaney 2 up; F Johnson bt T Delaney 4 and 2; A Marshall lost to S O'Sullivan 5 and 4; F Sanderson bt A Kingston 3 and 2; R Youngman bt DM Conaty 4 and 2. (England 3 Ireland 3).
WALES 5½ SCOTLAND 3½
Foursomes (Wales names first): S Evans, N Morgan lost to J Wilson, L Walker 3 and 1; L Gould, M Peake lost to L Hendry, K Brotherton 3 and 2; L Hall, B Loucks bt D Dewar, C M Carlton 2 and 1. (Wales 1 Scotland 2). Singles: L Hall bt L Walker 4 and 3; S Evans bt D Dewar 5 and 4; D Jones lost to L Hendry 2 and 1; L Gould halved with K Brotherton; B Loucks bt K O'Sullivan 4 and 3; M Peake bt J Wilson 1 up. (Wales 4½ Scotland 1½).
In the British Boys' Amateur Championship at Carnoustie there was mixed luck for the Irish when the remainder of the first round was completed yesterday.
Brian O'Connor (Hermitage), the Leinster Boys' champion, held out for a one-hole victory over Finland's Matti Ojala but Thomas Kearney went out. The Ballyliffin player lost 5 and 4 to Matt Baldwin from Hesketh.
A total of 256 of the world's finest young golfers started out over Carnoustie's famed championship links yesterday morning with the 36-hole final on Saturday.
