Sport

McDermott avoids shock

North of Ireland Amateur Championship : Michael McDermott eased his way through to this morning's third round in the Magners…

Thu Jul 17 2003 - 01:00

North of Ireland Amateur Championship: Michael McDermott eased his way through to this morning's third round in the Magners North of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at Royal Portrush after a day of shocks that saw many fancied candidates sent packing.

McDermott (23), from Stackstown, steered a steady course to beat Keith O'Neill 2 and 1 and then squeeze out experienced Neal Jenkins by two holes.

Yesterday, he was one down to Jenkins after two holes but won the next two in par-birdie, rolling in a 30-footer for a four at the long fourth. He also won eight and nine in par-birdie, but Jenkins hit back with winning pars at the 11th and 13th.

Off the 18th tee, Jenkins drove into rough and McDermott clinched victory with a winning par.

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US-bound Colm Montgomery didn't have to pass the 15th green in the sunbaked conditions in his march to the third round. The Malone lad sidestepped the normal first day pitfalls that saw the three leading qualifiers and the Irish Close Champion packing their bags for home by lunchtime.

Montgomery (20), a semi-finalist last year, first brushed past Connor Doran by 4 and 3 and then dismissed Neil Cunningham 5 and 4 on his way to a meeting with defending champion Gareth Maybin this morning.

The pair are firm friends and Montgomery will join Maybin at South Alabama University next month. No doubt, they will be team colleagues there.

Walker Cup panellist Maybin carved out 3 and 2 victories over Ballymena men Alex McCloy and former Irish League soccer player Michael McGarry.

The first round produced some amazing results with shock defeats for the leading three qualifiers: record-making Darren Crowe, Randal Evans and Connor Doran, plus Irish Close winner Mark O'Sullivan.

Declan Quilligan beat Galway's O'Sullivan by two holes, but he then came a cropper to Rory Leonard.

Leonard won 4 and 3 to earn a crack at Tramore teenager Clancy Bowe.

Former winner Michael Sinclair, the reigning East of Ireland champion, survived, as did Stuart Paul. But out is Walker Cup captain Garth McGimpsey, beaten one hole by Richard Kilpatrick.