Ireland will go into the second day of the annual match against the MGA of New York for the Governor Hugh L Casey Challenge Cup at Portmarnock Golf Club trailing by two points.

After losing all four morning foursomes Ireland fought back to take three of the fourballs to trail 3-5. Local Noel Fox and Tim Rice gave Ireland their first point with a 2 and 1 win over Austin Eaton and George Zahringer. Stephen Browne and Gary Cullen followed with a one hole win over Joe Sommers and Peter Meurer and Adrian Morrow and John Foster gave holders Ireland some hope when beating Lee Richardson and David Kwon 4 and 3.

Foursomes: (Irish first): T Rice, J Foster lost to J Sommers, G Zahringer 1 hole; N Fox, S Paul lost to A Eaton, P Meurer 1 hole; S Browne, G Cullen lost to M Turnesa 1 hole; A Morrow, A McCormick lost to L Richardson, D Kwon 3 and 1. Foursomes result: Ireland 0 MGA 4

Fourball (Irish first): N Fox, T Rice bt A Eaton, G Zahringer 2 and 1; S Browne, G Cullen bt J Somers, P Meurer 1 hole; A McCormick, S Paul lost to M Turnesa, C Alexander 1 hole; A Morrow, J Foster bt L Richardson, D Kwon 4 and 3. Fourball Result: Ireland 3 MGA 1. Overall: Ireland 3 MGA 5.