Fitting finale for Craddock

Mick Craddock doesn't officially step down as Irish captain until the GUI annual general meeting next February, but last week's Governor Carey Cup match in New York - where Ireland defeated the Metropolitan Golf Association, the first time to achieve such a feat on American soil - effectively concluded his direct association with the national team.

For someone who has spent 12 years with the Ireland team (the first nine as selector, the last three as captain), it was at least fitting that his term should finish on a successful note. Indeed, Craddock, a member of the famous golfing clan from Malahide, would be entitled to feel that the fates didn't always conspire in his favour during his term at the helm. Certainly, it is generally conceded that Ireland deserved to win at least one Home International championship during Craddock's captaincy - but, incredibly, on each of the three occasions he led a team into that particular campaign, they were edged out (in one instance on countback) by England.

"We should have won one or two of the Home Internationals," acknowledged Craddock, "but I'd have to say that the major disappointment was failing to win the European Team Championships (at Portmarnock in 1997). We had a strong team, one that was fully capable of claiming the championship." As things transpired, Ireland lost to a Sergio Garcia-led Spanish team in the semi-final and had to be content with third place.

The highlight? "Probably seeing the way Padraig Harrington developed as a player," said Craddock. "What really impressed me about him was that he never forgot where he came from, and the contribution that the amateur game made to him."

What pleased him most about last week's success by an inexperienced Irish team was the way that some of the young players responded to the challenge in difficult conditions. "There was a terrific team spirit, and I was every impressed with the way they stood up to the pressure in the final day's singles. It was a good way to blood young players into the representative game and a number of them have definite international futures ahead of them," said Craddock.

Ireland had won the trophy at the Portmarnock Links last year but had never managed to win it in the United States until this latest excursion. In the end, they accomplished the feat in some style with a 9 1/2 - 6 1/2 winning margin.

Played over the seaside Maidstoned Golf Club at East Hampton in Long Island, only two Irish players managed to emerge with 100 per cent records from their three matches: Andrew McCormick, a seasoned international, and Stephen Browne, who has moved up from interprovincial representative honours, both won all their matches.

McCormick and Noel Fox were the most experienced members of the Irish team that beat the MGA but Browne won three out of three, Rory Leonard took two and a half points from three, and South of Ireland champion Mark Campbell won two of his three matches. Colm Moriarty, Peter Martin and David Mortimer were the other members of the team.

Before he hands over the reins to someone else - the decision on his successor won't be taken until the GUI agm next February - Craddock still has to report at team captain to the council. But he won't be severing his links with the amateur game. He will still be very much involved with the Leinster Branch - and, of course, he will be able to devote more time to his own game and perhaps go in quest of a senior title somewhere along the line.