Last triumphant in 1997 at Royal North Devon, the Ireland Boys' squad were up against Scotland in their first match of the Home Internationals at Moortown yesterday, and at the end of the day, in spite of a promising start for John Moloughney's squad, Scotland cruised home comfortable winners 11-4.
In the foursomes, Clancy Bowe from Tramore and Niall Turner from Muskerry struck an early blow when they demolished Scotland's James McGhee and Nicky Barr 6 and 4, and at that stage, Ireland were ahead in three of the remaining matches.
What could and perhaps should have been an overwhelming 4-1 win fizzled out into a tie, 21/2 points each.
The Scots made seemingly impossible halves at the 16th and 17th in the top match to escape with a half, and then in each of the last two games where Ireland had been one up with two to play, the Scots drew level with wins at the 17th hole.
The afternoons performance, like the miserable weather was best forgotten, as the Scots swept Ireland aside with apparent ease.
After County Sligo's Martin McTernan had posted a 3 and 2 win in the top singles match the scoreboard became a sea of Scottish triumphs. Ireland play England today.
