MEN'S HOME INTERNATIONALS:Ireland are within sight of glory and their first Raymond Trophy success for four years.
They need to avoid defeat by defending champions England at Glasgow Gailes on the Ayrshire coast today to make certain of the crown – but even a narrow defeat could hand them the honours on a countback of individual matches won. This has been made possible by Scotland’s shock 10½-4½ trouncing of England.
Ireland had a gruelling day yesterday, returning to the course at dawn following the disruption to play caused by the storms on Wednesday evening. They saw off the brave challenge of Scotland in a thrilling climax 8-7 and then an hour later were back on the links to take on Wales who had been mauled the previous day by the English. And they got off to a flying start taking the foursomes 4-1, a position from which they were unlikely to falter. In fact they built on it to sweep to a resounding win. At the top of the order Chris Selfridge was one down much of the way to European Silver Medallist James Frazer but delivered the goods in the closing holes to win on the last. Amateur Champion Alan Dunbar won three of the first four holes for the second day running against Jonathan Bale but could only manage a half. Reeve Whitson started well against European title-holder Rhys Pugh and swept to a 4 and 3 success and the form player of the year Gavin Moynihan got home by two holes against Richard Bentham.
When Belvoir Park’s Harry Diamond saw off William Jones 3 and 2 Ireland were safe and they then just counted up the points – it was just a matter of how many they would win by.
West Waterford’s Gary Hurley and Kevin Phelan finished off a great day with splendid wins.
BRITISH BOYS' AMATEUR OPEN:Ballymena teenager Jordan Hood keeps the Irish flag flying over the Notts Course in the East Midlands after posting the biggest win of yesterday to storm in the third round.
The 17-year-old schoolboy who plays out of Galgorm Castle produced his best golf of the year to demolish German Marcel Ohorn by 7 and 6. He was an unbelievable six under par in the process. He did not lose a hole on his way into the last 32, was five up at the turn and took the 11th and 12th to settle the issue.
“I have not played that well for a very long time. I am absolutely delighted to be still in the tournament as it is my first year,” said Hood who now faces Welsh Boys champion Henry James.
Otherwise it was a poor day for the Irish contingent. First to exit the scene was Whitehead’s Matthew Kane who was unfortunate enough to be one of the 10 players involved in first round ties. He was beaten 4 and 3 by the aforementioned James who was always in the driving seat.
Then John-Ross Galbraith also from the Whitehead Club went down on the home green to Welsh teenager Zach Galliford. County Sligo’s Sean Flanagan lost 3 and 2 despite winning the opening hole to t American Max Greyserman.
Dubliner Paul McBride from The Island lost on the final hole after a real battle against German Maximilian Boegel.
BRITISH GIRLS' AMATEUR OPEN: In the semi-finals at Tenby this morning England's Georgia Hall will play German Quirine Eijkenboom and Germany's Olivia Cowan meets Clara Baena from Spain. The final is after lunch.
