Home Internationals: Ireland finished with the wooden spoon in the men's amateur Home Internationals at Pyle and Kenfig, South Wales yesterday for the second successive year, as Scotland retained the Raymond Trophy with a 10-5 win over England.
Ireland put up a gallant fight against host nation Wales but succombed 8-7 with everything depending on the final match.
When Dublin teenager Niall Kearney failed to get up and down on the final hole against Craig Evans he surrendered his narrow advantage and had to settle for a half, sufficient to give Wales victory and third spot.
The situation looked pretty rosy for Ireland when they led 3-2 after the foursomes but Wales, after defeats by England and Scotland, got out of the blocks quickly in the singles. Irish and European champion Rory McIlroy found Rhys Davies in inspired form and lost three of the first four holes. The Holywood youngster fought back bravely but still went down 2 and 1 while Simon Ward from Co Louth was outclassed by the talented Nigel Edwards, who was seven up after 11.
Darren Crowe was three down after four to Zac Gould but recovered magnificently and in the end pulled through on the home green after winning the last two holes.
Jonathan Caldwell also won, easily disposing of Chris Cousins by 5 and 4. The effort was enough to see the Welsh finishing third with Ireland propping up the table.
