Niall Kearney and Jonathan Caldwell are safely through to next month’s second stage of the European Tour qualifying school.

Limerick’s Pat Murray overcame a sore shoulder and a stiff neck before coming back from the dead twice in one day to reach today’s semi-finals of the AIG Irish Amateur Close Championship at Seapoint.

Ulster and Leinster played out a thrilling tie on the opening day of the Interprovincial Championship at Lee Valley yesterday while defending champions Munster survived a few anxious moments in mid-afternoon to emerge 7 ½-3 ½ winners over Connacht.

Defending champions Leinster were held 6 ½ - 6 ½ by Munster on the second day of the Golfsure sponsored Interprovincial Championships at Douglas Golf Club, while Ulster beat Connacht by 9 ½ - 3 ½ .