Munster stars to the fore at Euro Q School

MUNSTER golfers Cian McNamara, Aaron O’Callaghan and David Higgins yesterday played themselves into promising positions after the first day of the second qualifying stage of the European Tour School at four venues in Spain.

McNamara, who became the youngest winner of the South of Ireland Championship at Lahinch in 2004, is tied for sixth after shooting a splendid four under par 67 over the Las Colinas course in Alicante. He finished a stroke ahead of Cork’s Aaron O’Callaghan and David Higgins, who are in a share of 12th.

Generally speaking, it was a good day for the 13-strong Irish contingent. Chris Devlin is tied for 12th at El Valle in Murcia after a three under par 68 that leaves him a shot ahead of another Northern Ireland hopeful, Jonathan Caldwell while Dubliner Neil O’Briain shot a five under 68 at La Manga, Cartagena, to close the day in a share of 10th.