Ireland dig deep to avoid spoon

WOMEN'S HOME INTERNATIONALS: Ireland left their best until last at Cork as they produced a champagne display on the final afternoon to stave off the wooden spoon.

Having been humbled by England and beaten by Wales they were odds-on to fill bottom place after losing all three foursomes to Scotland – but they then displayed the qualities of Houdini to win five of the six singles and record a 5-4 success.

Mary Dowling led the way against Kelsey MacDonald to win 4 and 3, while youngster Chloe Ryan was also dominant against Laura Murray and posted a 4 and 2 win.

Jessica Carty finished off Rachael Watton 3 and 2, while Deirdre Smith and Maria Dunne won out in the country. Lucy Simpson battled bravely before going down 2 and 1 to Lauren Whyte.

England retained their title despite being held to a 4½-4½ tie with Wales, securing victory by virtue of the number individual games won.

EUROPEAN SENIORS: Ireland's senior women sprang a major upset yesterday by beating England to reach the semi-finals of the European Championships in Lugano, Switzerland.

It was a decisive triumph by 3½-1½ and today they will meet Italy for a place in the title decider. In the other semi-final top seeds and defending champions France will meet Spain.

The foursomes pairing of Grange’s Sheena McElroy and Pat Doran of Donabate got Ireland off to just the start they wanted beating former British champion Janet Melville and Barbara Laird by 3 and 2.

Helen Jones produced some superb golf to see off Rozalyn Adams by 3 and 2 and Carol Wickham secured the point that gave the Irish victory as she overcame Sue Dye by 2 and 1.

But any hopes Ireland’s men had of winning their third Seniors title were dashed when they lost 3-2 to Italy in Estoril, Portugal.

It was very tight but their fate was sealed when former Walker Cup captain Garth McGimpsey was pipped on the home green by Lorenzo Sartori. Tipperary’s Arthur Pierse and European champion Adrian Morrow had recorded big wins to put Ireland back in with a chance after they had lost the top two games but the McGimpsey loss was a huge blow.