Brilliant Mangan burst brings Vagliano glory within reach

A STUNNING singles performance yesterday over the demanding links of the County Louth club at Baltray took Great Britain and Ireland to within sight of a first Vagliano Trophy victory over the Continent of Europe for a decade.

And one of the stars of an amazing afternoon turnaround, to the delight of a big home crowd, was Tricia Mangan, the reigning Munster Ladies champion from Ennis.

Mangan, 29, produced a brilliant birdie burst just after the turn to send Dane Lisa Holm Sorensen crashing to a 4&3 defeat. Never behind, Mangan, holder of the Lahinch and Cork scratch cups took the lead at the fourth and was still one up at halfway but then birdies at 10, 12 and 14 thanks to putts of eight, six and 25 feet took her into a four-hole lead and a half at the next secured a welcome first Great Britain and Ireland point for Mangan.