Ireland fought bravely, once again, but were narrowly out-manoeuvred by Sweden in the European women's amateur team championship over the Saint-Germain course in Paris yesterday. They shared the foursomes one match each but again lost out 3-2 in the singles where Alison Coffey and Susie O'Brien were Ireland's only winners.
O'Brien triumphed on 18th against Maria Bowden and Coffey was always in command in beating Kristina Engstrom 2 and 1.
Today Ireland face Spain in the seventh place play-off while England meet France in the final.
Meanwhile, Ireland gave a thoroughly disappointing performance in the European boys' team championship in Upsala, Sweden yesterday, and now the best they can finish is seventh.
As defending champions yesterday's 4-1 loss to Spain was a bitter disappointment. Only Mark O'Sullivan from Galway was successful in Irish colours. He produced a splendid display to defeat Marcos Juan by 4 and 3.
Seve Ballesteros' nephew Raul was in action for Spain and he handed out a 5 and 4 beating to Cork's Mervyn Owens, one of the boys who helped Ireland win the title in Scotland last summer. Today Ireland face Switzerland for seventh spot while England meet Italy for the crown.
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