Manchip and McFarlane share top spot

IT was sunshine all the way for Neil Manchip and Don McFarlane on the sunny southeast as they kept step by step together to share the winner's podium after the two-day Sherry Fitzgerald Reynolds pro-am over the Dungarvan and Gold Coast courses.

At the Dungarvan track in the opening round Royal Dublin assistant Manchip shot three-under-par 69 while McFarlane, from East Cork, produced a similar performance on the Gold Coast course. Yesterday, they swapped venues and again matched each other with a pair of 70s to finish this debut event at five-under.

That was one stroke better than Damian McGrane produced as the present Wexford head pro, who is preparing for life full-time on the tough European Tour, managed over the two days action.