Coughlan fires Ireland ahead

CORK star Clare Coughlan maintained an unblemished record in the Ladies Home International Golf Championship at Cruden Bay yesterday to fire Ireland into a strong position to go for their first title in seventeen years.

The 24-year old Irish Strokeplay champion notched up two victories to help Ireland defeat Wales 5-4 and set up a showdown today with defending champions England.

Coughlan first lined up with Helen Jones from Strabane for an excellent foursomes victory and she then beat the Welsh champion Kate Philips by 5/3. Three up at the turn Coughlan stayed in that position until winning the 14th and then finished the match in style by knocking in a 25 foot birdie putt at the 15th to close out the match and make it four wins from four games.