Ireland's fightback barely fails

When the regional television breakfast-time sports bulletin led off with a piece on pig racing of all things, but made no mention of the men's Home International amateur golf championship at Burnham & Berrow, one wondered just how significant the championship was to the local populace.

To the English players, however, a fifth successive title apparently meant quite a lot, although Ireland - seemingly down and out after a disastrous foursomes - put up one of the stoutest fights imaginable. Unfortunately, Ireland were the poor fall guys again, staging a tremendous singles performance to draw the match, 7 1/2-7 1/2, but being edged out by the English on a countback.

A strong westerly wind, howling in off the Bristol Channel, interspersed with heavy rain showers, transformed the course - but England, who haven't lost a match to Ireland since 1991, adapted much better in the morning foursomes which proved instrumental in retaining their crown.

Once again, foursomes proved to be Ireland's Achilles heel. In the past four years, in 20 foursomes matches, Ireland have managed to take only three points off the English. Indeed, that was three from 15 prior to yesterday. But a disastrous whitewash - which had senior GUI officials scratching their heads to remember a similar occurrence (they couldn't) - in yesterday's morning pairings effectively robbed Ireland of any hopes they entertained.

Not that they didn't give it a good old lash in the singles. They did. But the damage inflicted in the foursomes proved terminal, even if the Irish players gamely attempted a resurrection in the singles where they needed to win eight of the 10 matches. In fact, at one advanced stage, Ireland were ahead in six and all square in another two, providing a glimmer of hope to even the most extreme of pessimists.

Extraordinarily - and a tribute to their fighting spirit - Ireland either won or halved the first nine matches, with Noel Fox, Jody Fanagan, Garth McGimpsey, Bryan Omelia, Eddie Power and David Dunne all being successful. The lone defeat came in the bottom match which Adrian Morrow lost 2 and 1 to Matt Blackey, the only player in the championship with a 100 per cent record. It was cruel reward for Ireland's boldness.

Fox, who is toying with the idea of turning professional and heading off to the European Tour's Pre-Qualifying II next month, had a great 4 and 3 win over Walker Cup player Justin Rose. After being one down early on, the Portmarnock man turned things around to be two up after 10 holes, won the 13th when his opponent three putted and also won the 14th in par before terminating proceedings on the next.

However, Irish champion Ken Kearney lost a seemingly commanding lead over another Walker Cup player Gary Wolstenholme. Three ahead with three to play, Kearney lost the 16th to a birdie and the 17th to a par after sending his tee-shot over the back of the green. The real damage came on the 18th.

Kearney sent a lovely approach shot to finish 15 feet from the pin on the last, but could do little as the wind and lightning fast green carried his first putt some four feet past. Wolstenholme had to stand on Kearney's marker for his par putt (which he sank) and, then, the Co Sligo player watched aghast as his similar length putt hit a spike mark and slipped by the hole for the match to finish all square, which was critical to the overall outcome.

Wales, who have never won the championship, were consigned to the wooden spoon. Scotland made hard work of beating the principality but finally won by a 9-6 margin.