Fresh from his success in the Irish Seniors Championship, Portmarnock's Mick Morris helped Ireland to a share of third place in the European Seniors Nations Cup at La Baule Golf Club in France over the weekend.

Leading the Irish home, however, was Glengarriff's Joe Murphy, who shot rounds of 78, 73 and 72 for a 223 total - just one better than Morris, who carded rounds of 78, 73 and 73. The third member of the team, Ian Stewart from the Curragh, was on 231.

Scotland's David Smith produced a marvellous performance to retain the individual title after a nerve-racking, five-hole play-off with England's Roy Smethurst from Crewe, winner of the British Seniors title. And, making it a double for the Scots, Smith, Harvey Brown and Brian Grieve won the Nations Cup.

Last year Smith had to come through a three-way, six-hole play-off to win the individual title, also in France.

In the team event, Scotland (290) edged out England (291) for the gold medals. Ireland tied with Italy for third place on 296.

In the women's event played at the same venue, Sweden's Maj-Britt Heden, third last year, won the individual gold medal with a total of 220.

Mary Madden was best of the Irish on 234 with Ireland on 319 well down the field in the team event, won by Germany (297). Sweden were second on 299, with France third on 305.