Ireland struggle to find form on opening day

Men's Home Internationals: Defending champions Ireland made a stumbling start to the Men's Amateur Home Golf internationals in glorious sunshine at Prestwick Golf Club.

They were beaten 8 ½ - 6 ½ by England. Wales beat Scotland 9 ½-5 ½ in the other opening-day tie.

After the foursomes were shared 2 ½-2 ½, Brian McElhinney (North West) gave Ireland the lead by winning the top singles tie against James Heath by 4 and 3.

Noel Fox (Portmarnock) had to birdie the last to salvage a square game with Walker Cup team-mate Gary Wolstenholme.

Gareth Maybin (Ballyclare) halved his match with Matthew Richardson. The Englishman had a one-hole edge on the inward half but Maybin had pegged him back by the 17th.

Mark Campbell (Stackstown) lost a three-hole lead on the inward half to lose by a hole to Michael Skelton.

Sean McTernan (County Sligo) lost by 2 and 1 to Steven Tiley in a a match that went the Englishman's way after he won the 12th to go one up.

Michael McGeady (North West) lost by 4 and 2 to Robert Dinwiddie who was two up after 10 and virtually clinched victory by winning the 14th.

Cian McNamara (Limerick) halved with Lawrence Dodd who won the 18th. McNamara had held a one-hole advantage over the closing holes - until the last.

Richard Kilpatrick (Banbridge) went down by one hole to Adam Gee .

Gee squared matters at the 16th, halved the 17th and birdied the last to steal victory. That was England's eighth point and clinched the win. Meanwhile Michael Sinclair (Knock) beat Lee Corfield, beaten finalist in this year's British amateur championship, by 6 and 4.

Darren Crowe (Dunmurry) halved with last year's English champion Gary Lockerbie who was three up with four to play. Crowe won the 15th with a par, the 16th (288yd) with an eagle two and the 17th with a par. The last holed was halved in birdie threes.

RESULTS: ENGLAND 8½, IRELAND 6½ - Foursomes (2½-2½): Gary Wolstenholme & Steven Tiley halved with Brian McElhinney & Michael McGeady.

James Heath & Adam Gee beat Gareth Maybin & Richard Kilpatrick 3 and 2.

Matthew Richardson & Robert Dinwiddie lost to Noel Fox & Mark Campbell 4 and 3.

Michael Skelton & Lawrence Dodd lost to Michael Sinclair & Greg Bowden 3 and 2.

Lee Corfield & Gary Lockerbie beat Sean McTernan & Darren Crowe 1 hole.

Singles (6-4): Heath lost to McElhinney 4 and 3. Wolstenholme halved with Fox. Richardson halved with Maybin. Skelton beat Campbell 1 hole. Tiley beat McTernan 2 and 1. Dinwiddie beat McGeady 4 and 2. Dodd halved with McNamara. Gee beat Kilpatrick 1 hole. Corfield lost to Sinclair 6 and 4. Lockerbie halved with Crowe.

WALES 9½, SCOTLAND 5½.