Moriarty and Fox deserve Cup reward

AS Ireland’s two new Walker Cup stars basked in the adulation at Mullingar yesterday, where Colm Moriarty strode to an impressive victory in the prestigious 72 hole Scratch Cup to confirm his current well being, they became the 29th and 30th golfers from this country to be chosen on the British & Irish Walker Cup team.

Moriarty and Noel Fox have thoroughly earned their selection in a side where many Irishmen before them were inexcusably passed over, so their relief at the confirmation of their selection is fully understandable.

Moriarty has made no secret of his intention to turn professional and try for his European Tour card in the autumn. He was delighted at his Walker Cup selection, saying “while I knew I had a very good chance, it was very nice to hear confirmation of my selection in a phone call from the captain Garth McGimpsey. He told me, ‘you’re in, well down, and now it’s all about winning the Walker Cup’. It’s a great thrill and honour for myself, my family and the Athlone club and, of course, it is also a very nice stepping stone to the pro game.”