The local challenge from Connacht remains strong as five girls go into today's second round of the Irish Girls' Close Championship at Galway Golf Club after rain disturbed the first round yesterday.
Leinster and Midland Girls' Champion Marina Gilhawley (Enniscrone) advanced when defeating Sheila Galvin (Limerick). The leading qualifier after the 18hole strokeplay round, Deirdre Judge (Roscommon), will meet Sarah Gallagher (Claremorris) in the second round.
In the semi-finals of the Irish Intermediate Matchplay Championship, also being played at Galway, Michelle McGreevy (Rossmore) takes on Caroline Smyth (Massereene) and Elaine Dowdall (Wexford-UCD) faces Denise Doyle (Lahinch).
Irish Girls' Close Championship (at Galway GC) - First round: D Judge (Roscommon) bt B McGinley (Howth) 7 and 6; S Gallagher (Claremorris) bt A McCarton (Greenore) 2 holes; M Riordan (Tipperary) bt N Mullooly (Donegal) 5 and 3; U Marsden (Tullamore) bt H Power (Laytown and Bettystown) 6 and 5; P Murphy (The Island) bt L McLaughlin (Balmoral) 7 and 6; T de Courcey (Connemara) bt F Healy (Lucan) 2 and 1; J McAuley (Dunmurray) bt S Thompson (Massereene) at the 19th; M Gillen (Beaverstown) bt M O'Dwyer (Tipperary) 6 and 5; C Coughlan (Cork) bt M Foley (Mallow) 10 and 8; M Carroll (Ballinascorney) bt A Doyle (Shannon) 4 and 3; M Gilhawley (Enniscrone) bt S Galvin (Limerick) 3 and 2; F Donnelly (Forest Little) bt O Walsh (Limerick) 7 and 6; S Smyth (Massereene) bt L Grogan (Templemore) 6 and 5; A Agnew (Balmoral) bt M Dunne (Skerries) 4 and 2; M Holmes (Enniscrone) bt H Nolan (Shannon) at the 19th; A Burke (Charleville) bt J Agnew (Portstewart) 4 and 3.
Irish Intermediate Matchplay Championship (at Galway GC) - First round: McGreevy (Rossmore) bt S Phillips (Woodbrook) 7 and 5; C Smyth (Massereene) bt J Farrell (Youghal) 4 and 2; E Dowdall (WexfordUCD) bt M Morrin (Naas) 1 hole; D Doyle (Lahinch) bt G Hegarty (Greencastle) 2 and 1.
