Ireland tried hard but still fell short of the mark in the European Boys' Team Golf Championship over the Upsala course in Sweden yesterday. Having qualified in seventh position, they were well aware that they had to produce something very special to oust Sweden.

The loss meant an end to Ireland's hopes of repeating their win in Scotland last year. Although beaten, Ireland were in no way disgraced as four of the matches lost yesterday went to the penultimate green or beyond.

Sweden laid the foundations for their success by winning both foursomes. For Ireland to have had any realistic chance they needed to have at least shared the spoils in the morning, although Sean McTernan and Mervyn Owens found Pia and Lenus Nilsson too good. Three successive defeats in the afternoon ended Ireland's reign.