Battling Irish share spoils

Ireland staged one of the great recoveries of recent times to grab a stunning share of the honours with holders Wales in their opening match of the Women's Amateur Home International Golf Championship at Royal St David's, Harlech yesterday.

They appeared to be in a pretty hopeless position after losing the foursomes 21/2 to 1/2 and that situation got worse when, with just five holes of the singles remaining, they were in front in only one match. But then came the change in fortunes and suddenly the battling Irish got on top. They had several heroines and captain Eavan Higgins was quick to heap praise on her charges.

"They showed plenty of commitment and concentrated brilliantly. I am really pleased with the singles performance but we are a little weak in foursomes and will be looking to put that right," said Higgins who has made several changes for this morning's foursomes line-up against England.

Irish champion Alison Coffey fought back from two down at the turn to halve the top match with Becky Brewerton while two of Ireland's real stars were Elaine Dowdall and Sinead Keane.

Dowdall was three-under-par in beating former Welsh champion Eleanor Pilgrim on the home green - and her brilliant seven-iron tee shot to the last, she will remember for a long time. It finished just l8 inches from the stick and gave her the one hole victory.

Perhaps even more remarkable was the comeback of Keane, who seemed to be staring defeat in the face when she was three down after ten holes to Kate Phillips. But Keane won three of the next four holes to square and although Phillips put her nose in front again at the 16th, it was the Irish golfer, who had the last laugh as she birdied the l7th to square again and held on at the last for a share of the honours.

Yvonne Cassidy , the Dundalk player, appearing in her first International series for five years, was another heroine as she birdied the 16th and 17th to defeat Anna Highgate 2 and 1.

The Irish had gone into lunch trailing 21/21/2. But they were given a life-line by Claire Coughlan and Suzie O'Brien in the bottom match. The Irish pair were three down with four to play against Louise Davis and Sara Mountford. But they then produced a touch of magic to win the 15th, 17th and 18th to draw level and give their team a much needed half point.

In yesterday's other opening battle England, bidding to win the title for the eighth time in nine years, defeated Scotland 6-3.

Ireland 41/2 Wales 41/2 (Irish names first) - Foursomes: Y Cassidy, E Dowdall lost to B Brewerton, E Pilgrim 3 and 2; A Coffey, T Mangan lost to K Evans, A Highgate 2 and 1; C Coughlan, S O'Brien halved with L Davis, S Mountford. (Ireland 1/2 Wales 21/2). Singles: Coffey halved with Brewerton; O'Brien bt Evans 1 hole; Dowdall bt Pilgrim 1 hole; Cassidy bt Highgate 2 and 1; S Keane halved with K Phillips; E Dickson lost to Davis 4 and 2. (Ireland 4 Wales 2). England 6 Scotland 3 (English names first) - Foursomes: K Fisher, R Hudson bt A Davidson, L Kenny l hole; F Brown, E Duggleby halved with L Mackay, H Stirling; F More, K Smith bt H Monaghan, L Morton 4 and 2. (England 21/2 Scotland 1/2). Singles: Hudson bt Kenny 5 and 3; Duggleby halved with Stirling; Brown lost to C Hargan l hole; C Court bt S Wood 2 and 1; Smith lost to Mackay 3 and 1; Fisher bt Davidson 6 and 5.(England 31/2 Scotland 21/2).