Mills swoops late to pip McCarthy for title

WELSH visitor Cennydd Mills wiped out a seven-stroke deficit in the final round to pip the home challenge in the Irish Youths Championship at Cork Golf Club yesterday evening.

Robert McCarthy, of The Island, seemed to be heading for an easy victory when he led by six with just 18 of the 72 holes remaining. But he faded to a 79 and eventually had to settle for third overall, when Mark Staunton of Ballinasloe posted a fighting 71 to share McCarthy’s 295 total.

McCarthy, who had two birdies and an eagle in the opening five holes of the morning round, struggled in the afternoon. He was hauled back by Mills when the 20-year-old from Groesfaen, near Cardiff, birdied the 13th and 14th.

The Welsh youth then gained the lead for the first time at the 71st hole, when McCarthy had to hit three off the tee.

He did well to get a bogey when he holed a delightful shot from a bunker.

But the drama was not over yet, as it was the winner’s turn to undergo a few anxious moments at the last, when he was fortunate to see his second shot rebound off a tree and a wall to the edge of the green.

The par was saved and McCarthy now needed a birdie to force a playoff.

He made a great effort to do just that at this testing par four, but his 15-foot putt shaved the hole.

Overnight joint leader Séamus Power of West Waterford performed solidly to take fourth place, one clear of Derek McNamara, of Connemara.

Greg Bowden of Hermitage and Colm Montgomerie of Malone tied for sixth on 299.

The top eight was completed by Muskerry’s David Daly, who finished with a one-over-par 73.