Gillen’s extra hole victory does the trick

BEAVERSTOWN’S Martina Gillen spared Ireland’s blushes yesterday when she edged to an extra hole victory to give her country the narrowest of successes against the Czech Republic in the European Ladies’ Team Golf Championship at Frankfurt.

With the match in the second flight finely balanced at three apiece, Gillen, a student at Kent State University in America, embarked on the 19th hole against Stanislava Kopeitkova and a birdie three produced victory for a very relieved Irish side.

Earlier, the foursomes had been shared one apiece, but Vagliano Trophy team member Tricia Mangan from Ennis and 45-year-old new cap Hellen Jones both lost their singles to bring about the knife-edge climax.

Gillen had looked like coasting to victory when she was three up after eight holes but then three- putted the ninth and the Czech golfer birdied the 10th and 15th to square the match.

Meanwhile, in a big surprise, Wales sent England tumbling out of contention with a 5-2 triumph and they take on Sweden for a place in the final.

Ireland’s boy golfers put the disappointment of not qualifying for the top flight of their team championship at the Astoria club in the Czech Republic behind them to defeat Norway by three matches to one with one halved.

There were wins for Aaron O’Callaghan from Douglas, Limerick’s Cian McNamara and Lurgan teenager Gareth Shaw, while at the bottom of the order Michael Mulroyan gained a share of the spoils.

Ireland can still finish ninth in the championship.

England and Scotland crashed out of contention, beaten by Italy and Austria, respectively, while Wales in the second flight did well to beat Belgium by three matches to one with one halved.