Irish amateurs fall short

A WEEK which started so promisingly for Ireland’s amateur golfers will end disappointingly today without any of the teams collecting a medal in the European Championships.

It is the Irish boys’ team playing over the Prague City course who are certain to fare the best after they overcame Finland 4-1 yesterday and will today meet Germany in the play-off for fifth place.

Jack Hume and Alex Gleeson were in fine form taking the foursomes against Erik Myllymaki and Aleksi Tanninen by 4&3 and then the in-form Dermot McElroy made it 2-0 with a 4&3 success against Kristian Kuiokorpi. Gavin Moynihan wrapped things up with a last-gasp triumph and Gary Hurley also won.

In the Euro Amateur Team championship at Victoria Vilamoura on Portugal’s Algarve Ireland went down 3½-1½ to Scotland and will today meet Finland for seventh spot.

Ireland’s women battled bravely against France in their European Championships at Murhof, Austria before slipping to a 3-2 defeat.

Leona Maguire continued her rich vein of form as she overcame Perrine Petit 3&2.

Stephanie Meadow of Royal Portrush also won yesterday but the other three points went France’s way.

The Irish girls’ team, the only side not to make the top flight, beat Turkey 3-2 and take on Austria today in a fight for 13th place.