Holder falls by the wayside

GOLF: The day offered a myriad distractions. The inclement weather and the lure of the Republic of Ireland's World Cup match against Spain in Korea preoccupying Ireland's amateur elite golfers as they tried to focus on qualification for the matchplay stages of the Golfsure sponsored, Irish Amateur Close Championship at Carlow Golf Club.

The rain and strong winds that arrived just before lunch-time handicapped the later starters on the second day of the strokeplay qualifying: the top 64 earning a coveted place in the matchplay aspect of the tournament that begins today.

There were notable casualties not least the defending champion, Walker Cup panellist and Ireland international Gavin McNeill who slumped to a 10 over par 80, having shot a 74 on the Saturday. His card contained eight bogeys and a double at the seventh as he struggled to come to terms with the conditions, playing in the worst of the weather.

His plight in missing the cut was shared by fellow internationals Tim Rice (81) and Stuart Paul (76). Rice was perfectly placed to make the grade after Saturday's 74, but the form that took him to the third round of the British Amateur Open recently deserted him yesterday.

Paul, the reigning North of Ireland and West of Ireland champion, will rue the 11 over par 81 he amassed in the first round but will be furious with his finish to yesterday's round. Standing on the 16th tee he was just one over for the day and inside the cut mark, but a bogey, double bogey, double bogey finish cost him a place in the tournament.

Undoubtedly the performance of the day was that of Birr's Justin Kehoe. He captured the Silver Medal as the leading qualifier, with a superb three under par total of 137 (68, 69).

The 22-year-old full-time amateur conceded that his start to the round was far from auspicious. "I struggled initially but made some good saves early on." He had slipped to two over the card after eight holes with bogeys on the fourth and eighth but responded positively.

A five iron to three feet at the ninth and a five iron and nine iron to 15 feet at the 10th yielded two birdies and a third followed at the 12th when he holed from 20 feet. A wedge to six feet on the 15th pre-empted a fourth birdie but he immediately handed back the shot at the next when he was stymied behind trees following his tee-shot and was happy to escape with a bogey five.

"I suppose I have as good a chance as anyone at this stage. Whomever I draw in the matchplay - he will play Colin Cunningham (Mullingar) - will be keen to take me out having been the leading qualifier. I am happy with the three under total for the two days especially as the course was playing very long today."

The Ireland team to play Wales in a Youths international at Seapoint GC on June 26th and also in the European Youths Team Championship at Gdansk GC, Poland from July 9th-13th is: D Crowe (Royal Dublin); R McCarthy (The Island), B McElhinny (North West), A McKinley (Shandon Park); D McNamara (Connemara); S McTernan (Co Sligo). Non travelling reserves: C Doran (Banbridge); M O'Sullivan (Galway).