Walker Cup contender Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are selected on a six-strong Irish team for the European Team Championships at Western Gailes Golf Club in Scotland next month.
McIlroy is the current European Amateur Champion while Lowry won the Irish Close Championship at Cork yesterday after birdies at the 14th and 15th saw him past Ireland's top amateur in the US, Niall Turner.
Turner, incidentally, is selected as second reserve on the Irish team for Scotland.
Two other serious Walker Cup contenders, Lurgan's Gareth Shaw and Simon Ward of Louth, are also named on team for the championships scheduled for July 3rd-7th.
Ireland team
Jonathan Caldwell (Clandeboye)
Shane Lowry (Esker Hills)
Richard Kilpatrick (Banbridge)
Rory McIlroy (Holywood)
Gareth Shaw (Lurgan)
Simon Ward (Co. Louth)
1st Reserve: Niall Turner (Muskerry)
2nd Reserve: Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin)
Ireland Youths team
(to play Scotland at West Waterford on June 27th)
Andrew Hogan (Newlands)
Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin)
Dara Lernihan (Castle/ UCD)
Neil O Briain (Royal Dublin)
Seamus Power (West Waterford)
Fergal Rafferty (Dungannon)
1st Reserve: Nick Grant (Knock)
2nd Reserve: Paul Cutler (Portstewart)
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