BOYS:Ireland go head-to-head with England in the closing match of the Boys Home International Championship for the RA Trophy at Hankley Common in Surrey today requiring a share of the spoils to retain the title they won at Royal County Down last summer.
But they had to come from behind to get the better of Wales in a titanic struggle yesterday after they had trailed 3-2 following the morning foursomes.
Two last-green victories they secured were all important, as Ciarán Boggan from Co Meath and Knock’s Colin Fairweather pipped Matthew Moseley and Rhodri Harston respectively to steer the Irish to a vital success.
Once again Paul Dunne was in tremendous form as he went through the day undefeated, first lining up with Dermot McElroy for a foursomes triumph and then demolishing Luke Jackson 6 and 4 just 24 hours after beating Scottish senior champion David Law.
England were always too strong for Scotland as they gained some big wins in the singles, in the end recording a 9-6 success.
Ireland’s non-playing captain, Liam Martin, was cautiously optimistic last night they could deliver back-to-back titles.
“We were disappointed not to do better in the European championships as we have plenty of talent, but this week they have shown both ability and a battling spirit. Now we must complete the job,” said Martin.
GIRLS:In the Girls Home Internationals at Fairhaven on the Lancashire coast, Ireland bounced back from their opening defeat at the hands of Scotland to edge home 5-4 against Wales.
But this game was on a knife-edge to the wire as Wales took the foursomes 2-1 and were very much in contention until the last game finished.
Laura McCarthy from Muskerry, a member of Ireland’s winning team in the European championships in Finland, secured the crucial point beating Kelly Miller on the final green.
The Maguire twins from Cavan suffered a rare foursomes reverse, but they made amends for that by winning their singles with something to spare. Emma O’Driscoll, the new Irish Girls champion, weighed in with a win.
But Ireland’s chances of clinching the Stroyan Cup virtually disappeared as England recorded an 8-1 success for the second day on the trot, this time over Scotland.
This means that for Ireland to capture the title they would have to overwhelm England 8-1, a highly unlikely outcome.
US TOUR:While the big names are in Ohio, the remainder of the US Tour are not exactly left to pick up crumbs.
Prize money at the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open is again over €2 million, with the winner collecting over €350,000.
