WEST OF IRELAND:: CO SLIGO'S Gary McDermott is a real contender to bridge a 62-year gap and reclaim the Radisson Blu - sponsored West of Ireland Amateur Open Championship for the hosts, following his performance during the first day of matchplay at Rosses Point yesterday.

McDermott – who battled his way to a 2 and 1 win over Keith Egan (Carton House) in their early morning clash before comfortably defeating Mark Shanahan (Castlemartyr) 5 and 3 in their secondround meeting – could become the first player to annex “the West” for the home club since 10-times winner Cecil Ewing’s last triumph in 1950. “I had a really tough game this morning against Keith [Egan] and I was two down with five to play but managed to turn it around, last year’s semi-finalist observed. [Against Mark Shanahan] I was three up through nine and parred my way in, which was pretty good. I’m safely through. Conditions are extremely tough so it’s a real battle out there.”

Indeed, yet again, it was the weather at the fabled Sligo links that was a main talking point – with persistent rain and howling winds delaying many of the second round matches before some late brightness sped the field home. Richard O’Donovan (Lucan) – leading qualifier on Saturday night with 138 for two rounds of strokeplay – was an early casualty on the third day of action, losing 2 and 1 to Warrenpoint’s Colm Campbell jnr in their early morning pairing.

First day leader James McCormick of England also exited the race for honours with a 2 and 1 loss to Kelan McDonough (Athlone) in their first round matchplay clash, as did Barry Anderson from the hosts – who had qualified for the quarter-finals in each of the previous years – losing by one hole to Ryan McKinstry (Cairndhu) at the same stage. Harry Diamond (Belvoir Park) – best pal of one Rory McIlroy – remains in contention for honours thanks to his one-hole win over Paul O’Kane (Moyola Park) in their second round encounter