Coughlan fires Ireland ahead

CORK star Clare Coughlan maintained an unblemished record in the Ladies Home International Golf Championship at Cruden Bay yesterday to fire Ireland into a strong position to go for their first title in seventeen years.

The 24-year old Irish Strokeplay champion notched up two victories to help Ireland defeat Wales 5-4 and set up a showdown today with defending champions England.

Coughlan first lined up with Helen Jones from Strabane for an excellent foursomes victory and she then beat the Welsh champion Kate Philips by 5/3. Three up at the turn Coughlan stayed in that position until winning the 14th and then finished the match in style by knocking in a 25 foot birdie putt at the 15th to close out the match and make it four wins from four games.

Tricia Mangan the Vagliall Trophy player from Ennis also starred chalking up a two in one victory over former British and European champion Becky Brewerton.

Mangan was never behind in this match either and when Maria Dunne and Maura Morrin got halves at the bottom of the order Ireland were home and dry.

Now Ireland just need to avoid defeat by England to clinch the crown.

Yesterday, England bidding for their 11th title in twelve years lost all three foursomes to Scotland but came back to tie 4½-4½.