World Women's Team Championship: Another day of struggle left Ireland languishing in 23rd position going into the fourth and final round of the World Women's Team Championship for the Espirito Santo Trophy this morning.
One had to feel sympathy for 32-year-old Irish champion Tricia Mangan. The Limerick prison officer experienced one of her worst-ever competitive rounds yesterday.
She reached the turn in 39 - three over par - but worse was to come as she recorded five bogeys on the bounce from the 11th followed by a double bogey at the 16th and she then finished with a bogey. That nightmare resulted in an 11 over par return of 83 to add to the Claire Coughlan's 72 and Martina Gillen's 74.
With a 54-hole total of 447 - 15 over par - and with two of the three cards counting each day, Ireland are a staggering 29 strokes adrift of leaders South Africa who go into today's final round four in front of reigning champions Sweden.
England are the best placed home nation but they will have to move up several gears today to get among the medals.
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