Ireland agonisingly missed out on a spot in the last eight of the European Ladies Team Championship at Fulford in York yesterday – despite a second successive inspirational round by former British champion Stephanie Meadow.

The 21-year-old Curtis Cup heroine from Royal Portrush fired a stunning four-under-par 68 following her 70 of Tuesday – but Ireland failed to get in the top flight by a stroke.

With five cards counting on each of the two strokeplay qualifying days, Ireland posted an aggregate of 750 – 30 over par – just one stroke behind eighth-placed Austria.

Irish Champion Paula Grant had two double bogeys in her 77 while Maria Dunne also had a 78. The Maguire twins Leona and Lisa have not been firing on all cylinders this week – Lisa recorded a 78 and Leona 79. Once again Chloe Ryan was way out of the reckoning.

Just missing out was a big disappointment for Ireland's captain Claire Coughlan Ryan who said: "Apart from Stephanie the girls were not at their best."

Denmark led the qualifiers by the proverbial mile.

Meanwhile, the second round of the European Girls Team Championship at Linkoping in Sweden was cancelled because the course was flooded.

Totals recorded in the first round on Tuesday counted for qualification – and this meant Ireland had no chance as they were in 15th position.

They will today face the Czech Republic as they start their quest for ninth spot in the event.