Smyth keen to make amends on home turf

FORMER Ryder Cup players Eamonn Darcy and Des Smyth will hope to follow the example of Shane Lowry and provide a home winner when the pair tee up in the Irish Seniors Open in association with Fálite Ireland and AIB Bank next week.

Smyth came so close to landing his national Senior Open title last year when he finished runner up to Spaniard Juan Quiros, who produced a superb approach shot to birdie the last hole and capture the trophy by a stroke.

It meant Smyth missed out on his third European Senior Tour title but the man from Drogheda admits he is looking forward to trying again at Ballybunion.