Holders Royal Portrush pushed hard before booking semi date
In search of their 25th All-Ireland title, Royal Portrush were taken to the final match by a luckless Island side in yesterday’s quarter-final. Gemma McClenaghan and Naoimh Quigg saw off Suzy Sheehan and Anna Courtney to win early points, while international Charlene Reid went down on the home green to an in-form Rachel Cassidy. Gertie McMullen levelled the tie for the Dubliners with a 17th hole victory, leaving Lucy Simpson to clinch the semi-final berth with a 16th hole win over Angie Dwyer.
Claremorris completed the shock of the tournament, defeating 2009 champions Kilkenny 3-2.
Eileen Rose Power and Orla Dunphy secured points for the Midlanders, while Kate Gallagher and Sarah Helly levelled the tie for the Connacht champions. Focus then switched to the final match where Bridie McGarry took three from the edge of the 18th giving Emily McHugh victory and a place for Claremorris in the semi-finals.
In the third quarter-final, Douglas overcame Roscommon. Experience won out with stalwarts Eavan Higgins and Kate McCann collecting points before Karen O’Neill defeated Anne McCormack in the top match.
The final tie saw another upset, Enniscorthy defeating seasoned campaigners Co. Louth. Aisling O’Leary beat 2004 Irish champion Deirdre Smith before Carla Reynolds levelled the tie for the Leinster champions. Jennifer King restored Enniscorthy’s advantage and when Margaret Mooney closed out her match on 17, Enniscorthy advanced to the semi final for the first time. In today’s semi-finals, Royal Portrush play Roscommon while Douglas do battle with Enniscorthy.
* JOHN-ROSS Galbraith kept the Irish flag flying when moving into the British Boys Open Amateur Championship quarter-finals at Burnham and Berrow, Somerset yesterday.
“I am absolutely over the moon. To be in the last eight when 252 started out is just great. I played really well today and now I intend to keep the momentum going,”said the 17-year-old Ulsters Boys Champion from Carrickfergus.
Galbraith knocked out England international Max Orrin with a birdie on the 19th in the third round and then delivered the goods when it mattered in round four to eliminate Richard Broadhurst 2&1.
He was one down early on,won three holes in a row to be two up at the turn but then after a couple of halves lost two holes on the bounce to be brought back to square in a sea-saw encounter.
The Northern Ireland teenager then gritted his teeth and birdied the 16th and 17th to win them both and the match.
West Waterford’s Gary Hurley went out to Belgium’s Thomas Detry.
Keagan Cummings, Elm Park, battled hard in round three against German Steffen Harm but went down 2&1
* Sweden’s Pelle Edberg leads by two shots at the halfway stage of the Norwegian Challenge after carding a three under par 69 in the second round at Hauger Golf Club near Oslo.
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