Golf:Niall Kearney fired a four-under par 68 in the second round of the South of England Amateur Championship at Walton Heath and will go into tomorrow's final two rounds one shot off the overnight lead held by England's Simon Crockett.
The in-form Royal Dublin golfer will attempt to add to his growing collection of silverware plus bolster his chances of Walker Cup selection ahead of September’s match at Merion Golf Club in Pennsylvania.
The 24-year-old’s round on the New Course contained six birdies and just two dropped shots for an impressive 138 halfway aggregate over one of England’s most demanding inland courses.
“I felt good out there today, my golf really came together well,” said the South of Ireland and Brabazon Trophy champion.
Portstewart’s Paul Cutler and Baltray’s Simon Ward also qualified for tomorrow’s final 36 holes.
Cutler, this year’s East of Ireland champion, matched Kearney’s 68 for a 144 aggregate, while Ward carded a battling 71 to squeeze in on the 146 cut mark.
James Fox could manage a second round 73 which left the Portmarnock golfer one shot outside the cut on 147.
There was further disappointment for Rathmore’s Alan Dunbar after the St Andrews Links Trophy winner slumped to a second round 79 for a 155 total.
Irish scores:
138: N Kearney (70,68)
144: P Cutler (76, 68)
146: S Ward (75, 71)
147: J Fox (74, 73)
155: A Dunbar (76, 79)
